CIWM has launched its EDI strategy that it says will “ensure the Institution is open and inclusive to all, regardless of background, ability, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation”.
The 3-year strategy has been created following the establishment of CIWM’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group in early 2021. CIWM’s new EDI vision is “together, we will inspire and enable transformational change to create a more inclusive sector that reflects the communities we serve”.
CIWM, which represents individuals working in the resources and waste management sector, says it is committed to ensuring opportunities and support are fair and equal across the organisation, its membership and the whole sector.
Commenting on the launch, CIWM CEO, Sarah Poulter, said: “As the institution’s first female CEO, I feel particularly honoured to be introducing our new EDI strategy. This is initially a three-year project, but we’ve already started making changes within the Institution. To begin with, our focus will be on getting our own house in order and embedding these principles throughout the organisation.
“But as we progress, we are firmly committed to positioning CIWM as a champion of EDI, and to inform, encourage and collaborate with the sector so they are inspired to do so too. The move to a ‘world beyond waste’ is a big ambition and to achieve it we need an inclusive community with a wide diversity of voices, skills, knowledge and perspectives.”
CIWM says its EDI strategy delivers against its broader strategic pillar of “leading through excellence” and is directly aligned with its recently announced Gold CSR accreditation.
The development process was informed by research undertaken by a member-led working group which reached out to the membership and the wider sector, which included 7 focus groups and over 330 responses to an online survey.
CIWM’s EDI strategy identifies 6 key areas of focus for the organisation:
- Developing & Growing
- Attracting & Retaining
- Influencing & Engaging
- Belonging & Welcoming
- Committing & Complying
- Measuring & Reporting
As part of the launch of the EDI Strategy, CIWM is offering a free webinar on Thursday 28th April at 16.00 – 17.00 hosted by CIWM President, Dr Adam Read. The event will feature presentations by CIWM CEO, Sarah Poulter, and its Operations Director, Anna Havard.