Final Beyunbi Conference Unites Leaders Across Europe to Address Unconscious Bias
Over 60 participants convened at ACE Events in Brussels for the final conference of the EU project “Beyond Unconscious Bias” (Beyunbi), a groundbreaking initiative coordinated by CEC European Managers.
The event marked the culmination of 18 months of extensive research, training, and dialogue to tackle unconscious biases in leadership across Europe.
The EU Project Beyunbi has explored the prevalence of unconscious biases among European managers and developed a pilot training scheme in collaboration with Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini to address these biases in workplace decision-making.
A comprehensive report based on an international survey highlighted the project’s findings, shedding light on inclusivity among European leaders.
The author of this extensive report, Lea Skewes, from the University of Southern Denmark, was also present at the Final Conference and took the opportunity to showcase both the methodology and main findings of the analysis.
A Day of Insights and Inspiration
The conference opened with a warm welcome from Olga Molina, Director of CEC European Managers. Her keynote speech celebrated the project’s achievements and stressed the importance of leveraging diversity to foster innovation, productivity, and growth.
Through BEYUNBI, we have built tools, knowledge, and insights that will continue to inspire inclusive leadership
Olga Molina
Director CEC European Managers
Torkild Justesen, Secretary General of CEC European Managers, provided a broader perspective on the project, connecting it to global sustainability and climate leadership discussions following his participation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29.
Highlighting the role of European managers in combating unconscious biases, he stated, “Inclusiveness is not just about doing good—it’s about competitiveness and leveraging the full potential of our shrinking workforce.”
Inclusiveness is not just about doing good—it’s about competitiveness and leveraging the full potential of our shrinking workforce.
Torkild Justesen
Secretary General CEC European Managers
“1M managers can make a difference”: Perspectives from Policy and Practice
The European Commission’s Social Dialogue Team Lead and Project Officer Diana Cumprana underscored the EU’s commitment to equity and inclusivity, linking Beyunbi’s objectives to broader initiatives such as the Pact for Social Dialogue and the Quality Jobs Roadmap.
The EU Commission supports social partners in various ways, there’s a basis in the treates.
Diana Crumpana, Social Dialogue Team Lead & Project Officer
EU Commission
Member of European Parliament Sérgio Humberto added a political dimension to the discussion, stressing the importance of embedding inclusivity into EU policies.
Managers make millions of strategic decisions everyday that impact European companies and economy. Controlling the biases when making these decisions is crucial.
Sérgio Humbero, EP Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Member of the European Parliament
Tamara Makoni, a DEI (diversity, equality, and inclusion) specialist and board member of The Brussels Binder, shared actionable strategies for countering unconscious biases.
She highlighted practical steps for managers, including recognizing proximity and affinity biases, and encouraged participants to “slow down” decision-making processes to ensure inclusivity.
Empowering Change Through Research and Training
Barbara de Micheli of Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini showcased the transformative impact of Beyunbi’s training programs, which helped managers recognize and address their biases.
First-hand testimonials from participants representing organisations like CFE-CGC (France) and Ledarna (Sweden) reinforced the program’s success in fostering inclusivity.
Lea Skewes, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Southern Denmark, presented findings from Beyunbi’s survey, revealing data-driven insights into leadership biases across Europe.
If you have a brain you have a bias. Bias is inherent, but awareness and training can mitigate its effects
Barbara de Micheli, Head of Social Justice and Training Coordinator
Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini
From left to right: Tamara Makoni (The Brussels Binders), Jowita Michalska (EU Digital Ambassador) and Barbara de Micheli (Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini)
Jowita Michalska, EU Digital Ambassador, added a forward-looking perspective by exploring how Artificial Intelligence can challenge and reinforce unconscious biases in the workplace. Her talk called for the responsible use of technology to promote equity.
Leaders and managers’ role: A Call to Action
Maxime Legrand, President of CEC European Managers, concluded the conference with a rallying call to participants. “The success of BEYUNBI lies in each of you,” he said. “Take these ideas back to your organisations and make inclusion the standard for leadership in Europe.”
Attendees departed with a renewed commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusivity within their professional spheres.
Take these ideas back to your organisations and make inclusion the standard for leadership in Europe.
Maxime Legrand
President CEC European Managers
Beyunbi may have concluded its project phase, but its impact will resonate across Europe’s managerial landscape for years to come, notably with the upcoming dissemination campaign of the survey results and findings, which will be announced in the next weeks.
You can re-watch the full Final Conference here [+]
