DE&I Experiential Connect

It was a day well spent learning and reflecting at bp’s DE&I Experiential Connect. The event was divided into three parts – LEARN, EXPERIENCE, and ACT – to focus on the steps to embody Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity principles.

“Companies can get too caught up in the numbers and metrics. We have to remember that we adopt these strategies because it is the right thing to do.”

Head of Country for bp Malaysia, Luke Joseph, delivered the moving opening address, reinstating bp’s values and commitment to DE&I, before we started on the first segment of the event. It entailed a panel discussion moderated by Janike Ratnapola, Global DE&I Consultant from bp, on the topic of the DE&I landscape in Malaysia, featuring:

• Lee Soo Fern, Partner and Malaysia Talent Leader, Ernst & Young Consulting, EY ASEAN Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness Leader
• Kishore Ravuri, Head of Strategy, Dutch Lady Milk Industries & Co-founder CEO Action Network (CAN) / Founder, DEI Workstream of CAN; and
• Ching Wan Chiang, VP Digital Systems of Work, bp Malaysia.

During this LEARN segment, the speakers shared personal anecdotes on how DEI practices were implemented in the workplace and helped them overcome adversity, CSR trends and strategies, and how technology has become a factor in social change. They also explored the crisis of DE&I pursuits having to be relevant and in alignment with stakeholder agendas, the recent relevancy of intergenerational equity, as well as the current state of companies in Malaysia accepting neurodiverse employees and non-mainstream vulnerable groups.

In the EXPERIENCE segment, the attendees were invited to walk in the shoes of another, as six courageous individuals from different walks of life shared their stories. We heard tales from parents of neurodiverse children, stories of struggling with abuse and mental health, and difficult childhoods, which opened the hearts and minds of our attendees.

The final segment – ACT – featured an interactive brainstorming session, where our attendees broke into groups to address central questions on ways to successfully implement a multi-generational workforce, and the key allies/levers used to support DEI initiatives as well as how they are used, at an organisational level. This section was followed by a sharing session, with commentary and insights from facilitators: Florence Tan, Director, Corporate Sustainability and Inclusion & Diversity, PwC Malaysia; and Mehri Eyubova, Senior Manager, People & Culture, bp Malaysia.

The Experiential Connect was a successful foray into opening eyes to social issues that permeate our workplaces and societies, as well as a good exploration of how we have succeeded and how we can continue to improve. We were delighted to have collaborated with bp to make this event happen and advance social change in every little way we can.