BEYUNBI Final Conference: Breaking Barriers and Building Inclusive Leadership in Europe
Leaders, policy experts, and advocates will gather in Brussels to mark the culmination of the transformative BEYUNBI project; the European initiative focused on addressing unconscious bias and fostering inclusivity in leadership roles.
This final conference promises to be a moment of reflection, celebration, and forward-thinking as stakeholders from diverse sectors unite under the theme, “Empowering Inclusiveness in European Leadership.”
About the EU project Beyond Unconscious Bias – BEYUNBI
The European project Beyond Unconscious Bias is an important initiative of the European Commission coordinated by CEC European Managers (Confederation Européennes des Cadres), a key social partner representing over 1M managers across Europe.
Together with CEC, another social partner of the European Commission, Eurocadres, is also involved in the BEYUNBI project.
In the EU, around 10 million managers make millions of decisions daily, which impact our economy, society, and environment.
While competent management will carefully consider the needs of the organisation and its wider environment, decisions are always influenced by unconscious processes.
All people have biases, and biases of all kinds are part of our unconsciousness.
The EU project BEYUNBI has been studying the prevalence of unconscious bias among managers in the EU during the last 18 months. It has developed an EU pilot training scheme on unconscious biases with the Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini and ways of moving beyond it.
The project’s primary outcome consists of a report showcasing the results of an international survey that targeted the biases of managers and leaders in Europe (see full press release for more information).
BEYUNBI Agenda for the Final Conference – Overview
The day will begin with a warm welcome from attendees over coffee, setting the tone for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
Olga Molina, Director of CEC European Managers, will open the conference with an inspiring message on the significance of leadership diversity and the strides made through BEYUNBI.
Torkild Justesen, Secretary General of CEC European Managers
Torkild Justesen, Secretary General of CEC European Managers, will then provide a comprehensive introduction to the BEYUNBI project, recounting its journey, objectives, and the transformative impact on leadership landscapes across Europe, and bringing the latest remarks on sustainability directly from the United Nations Climate Conference COP29 (where CEC European Managers has been actively participating).
Diana Cumprana from the European Commission will follow, underscoring the Commission‘s commitment to equity and inclusivity in the workplace and the importance of social dialogue.
Sérgio Humberto, MEP
Sérgio Humberto, Member of the European Parliament, will share insights via a live connection from Strasbourg, addressing the role of policy in shaping equitable employment practices.
Tamara Makoni, The Brussels Binder
Tamara Makoni, a recognized diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist, an active voice at The Brussels Binder, and founder of Kazuri Consulting, will offer practical strategies to overcome unconscious bias and embed inclusivity in leadership.
The event will also shed light on BEYUNBI’s tangible achievements.
Barbara de Micheli, Coordinator, Head of Social Justice Unit at Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini
Barbara de Micheli, the project’s training coordinator, will present key outcomes from the initiative’s training programs.
These programs have empowered participants to recognize and address unconscious biases in their organisations.
Further testimony will come directly from engaged participants representing prominent managerial organisations such as CIDA (Italy), Ledarna (Sweden), Lederne (Denmark), and CGC-CFE (France), who will share their transformative experiences.
Lea Skewes, Postdoctoral researcher University of Southern Denmark
Research plays a pivotal role in the fight against unconscious bias, and this will be evident in the presentation of the comprehensive EU survey by Lea Skewes, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern Denmark. Her findings will provide data-driven insights into the state of inclusivity in leadership across Europe.
Jowita Michalska, EU Digital Ambassador
Adding a forward-thinking dimension to the discussion, Jowita Michalska, an EU Digital Ambassador and gender bias expert, will explore how emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, intersect with inclusivity and diversity efforts in leadership.
The conference will conclude with a reflective yet action-oriented session. Maxime Legrand, President of CEC European Managers, will deliver closing remarks highlighting the project’s achievements and setting the stage for future endeavors to promote inclusive leadership across Europe.
Join us on this remarkable journey of transformation and inclusivity.
Together, we can shape leadership that knows no boundaries.
More information can be found here:
