BASF releases booklet of diversity and inclusion in South America and presents program of allies for the cause LGBTI+

BASF released its ‘Diversity & Inclusion Primer’ for the approximately 6,000 employees of the company in South America. Anyone who wants to read, just access this link. The booklet was announced during Diversity and Inclusion Week, an event held from October 13th to 16th, with the aim of sharing the main achievements, challenges and next steps for promoting equity in the workplace. On the occasion, the creation of the ‘Aliados e Aliadas‘ program was also announced, an initiative that reinforces BASF’s position to value and include its LGBTI+ collaborators.

The focus of the booklet is to encourage a conversation about the topic with the teams, taking advantage of the opportunity for co-workers to combine or recombine everything that can improve the environment where they live. According to Karina Chaves, BASF’s Diversity and Inclusion manager in South America, the production of this content counted on the participation of several collaborators and partners, who were heard to define the themes and approaches.

“This is another opportunity to reflect on the theme and contribute, in all places and relationships, so that diversity and inclusion are always present and producing positive impacts on our lives and on society”, he comments.

Also during Diversity Week, the company raised the flag of the LGBTI+ movement in its factories in the region, in order to reinforce its commitment to sexual diversity. The theme is one of the four pillars of BASF’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy in South America, which has four affinity groups formed by volunteer employees.

The Women in Business (WIB), focused on gender equity; the Black Inclusion Group (BIG), focused on racial equality; the Be Different, which discusses the inclusion of people with disabilities; and Be Yourself (BYou), focused on sexual diversity and which gained more reinforcement this year.

The ‘Aliados e Aliadas Program’ will engage LGBTI+ employees or not to participate in BYou’s activities at BASF. The goal is for allies to practice welcoming and to be a safe point to talk, to clarify doubts about LGBTI+ diversity and inclusion.

Henrique Campos, Senior Manager of Controlling and Marketing for Performance Chemicals at BASF South America and one of the creators of the initiative, says that the motivation to create the group arose from the desire to carry the message of respect and diversity into the daily lives of all people.

“The role of the ally must be that of an ambassador against prejudice, to prevent and combat discrimination. Ambassadors can participate in the activities of the BYou group, publicly express their support and be a welcome point for LGBTI+ people“, comments Henrique.

To reinforce, structure and expand its performance, BASF has made several public commitments, many of them global, in order to promote human rights, such as the UN Global Compact, including the Women’s Empowerment Principles, and the Brazilian Business Forum and LGBTI+ rights.