The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has launched its Sector Inclusion Forum to support the organisation deliver its Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategy.
CIWM said the Sector Inclusion Forum will also act as an advisory body on its deliverables, including a Code of Conduct.
The Forum is set to be chaired by Dr Tracey Leghorn, Chief Business Services Officer at SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK.
CIWM said the Forum will also establish links with other parts of the sector to drive positive change, facilitate task and finish groups to deliver specific activities, establish member EDI communities to bring in wider member input, endorse the work of the EDI strategy, and promote good practice by highlighting the importance of EDI in the sector.
The Forum will be comprised of representatives from waste and recycling businesses, key stakeholder groups such as ESA and EU Skills, as well as CIWM members, a Trustee, and a member of CIWM staff.
The first output from the Forum is a Sector Inclusion Forum Charter which outlines how the group will help drive the vision and required outcomes of the EDI Strategy.
Since its launch in 2020, we have made significant strides in advancing the objectives outlined in our EDI Strategy.
Commenting on the launch, Katie Cockburn, CIWM Director of Policy, Media & Education, said: “Since its launch in 2020, we have made significant strides in advancing the objectives outlined in our EDI Strategy. The launch of the CIWM Sector Inclusion Forum marks a pivotal milestone in this journey.
“To truly move the world beyond waste, we need the support of an inclusive community that embraces diverse voices, knowledge, skills, and perspectives, and the work of our Sector Inclusion Forum will be instrumental in achieving this.”
Dr Tracey Leghorn said: “The formation of the CIWM Sector Inclusion Forum is an exciting step forward in our determination to create a more inclusive and diverse sector. Inclusion is not a state of mind or academic endeavour.
“To achieve greater inclusion, we must go beyond good intentions and words, to tangible actions and a genuine commitment to create truly equitable and inclusive environments. It’s important that we are honest about where we are currently and ambitious in what we want to achieve.
“The benefits of EDI are clear; our sector needs diverse insights and contributions to create a thriving and sustainable sector for the future.
“CIWM is committed to helping its members and businesses of all sizes achieve this together. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is giving up their time to be part of the Forum or has contributed to the development and delivery of CIWM’s EDI Strategy in another capacity.”
In addition to forming the Sector Inclusion Forum and ring-fencing funding, CIWM said it has made significant progress against the actions set out in its EDI strategy, including:
- Producing an EDI Glossary to assist CIWM staff, members, and the wider sector in understanding EDI concepts and terminology.
- Creating an EDI e-learning course to help shift mindsets through practical tips and techniques.
- Developing a CIWM EDI Code of Conduct to establish consistent attitudes and behaviours across stakeholders.
- Reviewing flexible working and wellbeing policies within CIWM to create a workplace that acknowledges and accommodates different lifestyles.
CIWM is also in the process of producing EDI best practice guides for recruitment, communication, events, and workplace amenities and facilities.
