Diversity and inclusion (D&I) champions around the world are navigating a difficult moment – not just in policy and perception, but also in energy and resilience, as the world seems to turn sharply against values many of us believed were becoming foundational. The work feels heavier. The resistance more organised. And the need for inclusion has never felt more urgent.
This year’s Global Inclusion and Diversity Alliance (GIDA) panel brought together leaders from national membership bodies in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, and Aotearoa New Zealand to reflect on what’s shifting, what’s at stake, and how we carry this work forward with courage and care.
DCA’s Member Relations Manager, Kath Sciacca (they/them), shared a special video presentation of the GIDA partners discussing how to sustain inclusion in a changing world. Moderated by Maretha Smit (she/her), Chief Executive, Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion, featuring:
- Marni Panas (she/her), Chair of the Board of the Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion
- Jeiz Robles (she/her), Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Community Business
- Catherine Hunter (she/her), CEO, Diversity Council Australia
Déjealous Palota-Kopa (she/her), Professional Services Manager & Facilitator at Te Uru Tangata Centre for Workplace Inclusion.
The panel discussion explored:
- What D&I leaders are seeing and experiencing across different regions
- How the narrative around D&I is being distorted, and how we reclaim it
- Practical ways organisations are adapting without losing their values
- The quiet toll of this moment on D&I professionals and how we support each other
- Why workplaces may be our best hope for rebuilding social trust and cohesion
- How D&I practitioners might be feeling – energised or exhausted, hopeful or hesitant.
The following resources are now available:
- Audio recording of the event via SoundCloud
- Recording of the event via Vimeo with playback speed control and captions