BIBB signs Diversity Charter
As part of the events surrounding the "Think globally - act locally" event, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has acceded to the "Diversity Charter". The Charter was signed by BIBB President Manfred Kremer and was officially accepted in Berlin by Katharina Kanschat from the JOBSTARTER Team. The initiative "Diversity as an opportunity, the Diversity Charter for companies in Germany" was launched in December 2006 by Minister of State Maria Böhmer, Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration. 43 companies and public sector institutions such as DaimlerChrysler, Deutsche BP, Telekom, IKEA and the Federal Employment Agency have now signed up to the initiative. The patron of the Charter is Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Maria Böhmer, Minister of State in the Federal Chancellery
Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees,
and Integration presents the "Diversity Charter" to
Katharina Kanscha (r) from the JOBSTARTER-Team.
The aim of the Charter is for all employees to be valued "regardless of their gender, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or world view, any disabilities, age, sexual orientation or identity."
The companies involved commit themselves to
- cultivating a company culture characterised by mutual respect and esteem on the part of every individual person and putting the conditions in place which enable line mangers and employees to recognise, share and live these values. Their executive management staff and line managers are accorded a specific obligation within this process.
- monitoring their human resources processes and ensuring that these meet the diverse skills and talents of all employees and their performance expectations.
- recognising the diversity of society within and outside the company, valuing the potential inherent within these fields and using this in a way profitable to the company.
- making the implementation of the Charter a topic of internal and external dialogue.
- providing public information on an annual basis on activities and progress made.
- informing their employees about diversity and integrating them into the implementation of the Charter.
BIBB recognises these principles in light of the fact that they improve performance both for companies and institutions. The diversity of BIBB's tasks and cooperation partners is reflected in the diversity of its employees. Using this diversity means being able to communicate with all the target groups for BIBB's work.
Initial vocational education and training is a topic which is being addressed by a large number of experts from the fields of politics, trade and industry and academic research and which engages and interests everyone in Germany, Europe and across the world. BIBB conducts research on the current status of vocational education and training and participates in VET further development. This involves the employees' providing information and advice to experts, institutions and the public at large both in Germany and abroad.
BIBB welcomes the initiative of Minister of State Maria Böhmer and will continue to support the activities of the "Diversity Charter" initiative.
