LGBTI+ BUSINESS FORUM 2024

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22. 10. 2024, 08:30

Dom Európskej únie, Palisády 29, Bratislava

The 12th edition of the LGBTI+ Business Forum will take place on Tuesday, 22 October 2024, from 8:30 to 13:00 at the House of the European Union in Bratislava. .

What is the topic of the forum?

The topic of this year’s forum is Diversity in ESG reporting in the context of the upcoming new ESG reporting obligations:

What belongs in an ESG report and in what form?
What are reportable activities within the Social aspect?
What are examples of best practice in DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) reporting?
What options do companies and organisations have for measuring and reporting inclusion on workplace?

Experts on ESG reporting and CSR together with representatives from the non-profit sector and corporate DEI specialists will provide answers to these and many other questions that companies in Slovakia face.We will also share what are is the practical experience of a Slovak company in preparing for reporting on their DEI program and activities aimed at LGBTI+ employees.
In the second block of our program, several companies will present their specific activities and projects for improving inclusion in the workplace (not only) for their LGBTI+ employees.

Who is the Forum for?

We welcome anyone interested in and/or with the means to influence company policies on diversity, equity and inclusion. The topic of this year’s forum is primarily focused on business leaders, professional from HR, people managers, DEI champions and ESG/CSR specialists. The forum will be primarily in Slovak language, but simultaneous interpretation into English will be provided.

How to participate?

The participation in the forum is free of charge, however it is subject to registration. Due to capacity constraints, participation is limited to a maximum of two representatives per company.
For attendees who cannot attend the forum in person we will offer the option to register for video streaming. We will send a link to all registered participants in advance of the event.
If you are interested in attending, please register here or send us a message at info@diversitypro.eu.

Who organizes the Forum?

The LGBTI+ Business Forum is organized by Diversity Pro. The partners of the event are the EIB Group Office in Slovakia, Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Slovakia, the Office of the European Parliament in Slovakia and the companies KPMG, Lenovo and Kyndryl.

The event is organized under the patronage of the European Parliament.

We are looking forward to see you there!

> Register here! <

PROGRAM

Check-in for participants is open from 8:30 a.m., program will start at 9:00 a.m.

From theory to practice | 09:00 – 10:30

Organisers welcome | Diversity Pro
ESG as a tool not only for reporting | Peter Škyrta, Sustainability Manager, KPMG in Slovakia
- What is the difference between CSR and ESG? What is the legal basis for ESG regulation? Why is it necessary to address the social aspect in current reporting?
DEI reporting in practice | Ivana Vagaská, Executive Director of Business Leaders Forum a ESG Team Lead, Nadácia Pontis
- What options do companies and organizations have in measuring and reporting workplace inclusiveness? What DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) indicators are part of the current ESRS standards and what examples of good practice can already be found in the reports of companies operating in Slovakia?
Measuring LGBTI+ inclusion in the workplace for the ESG report | Santiago Mendez, Head of EMEA Coporate Citizenship, Lenovo
- How can companies create a practical framework to track and measure LGBTI+ inclusion? What is the process of preparing supporting material on LGBTI+ DEI program for upcoming ESG report?

Coffee break | 10:30 – 11:00

Time for small refreshments and networking with the speakers.

Best practice examples | 11:00 – 12:30

During the second block of the forum, representatives of companies and the non-profit sector accepted our invitation to share with the participants examples of best practice in ESG reporting and their activities or programmes to improve inclusion in the workplace (not only) for LGBTI+ employees.

- ESG in Slovenská sporiteľňa | Beáta Babačová, ESG Specialist and Diversity Inclusion Manager, Slovenská sporiteľňa
  - “Slovenská sporiteľňa wants to support the redirection of financial flows to measures to combat climate change, protect water resources and transition to a circular economy. However, this opportunity should be available to all equally, which is why we strive for inclusion in society. For this reason, we have launched many initiatives to promote financial education, social banking and affordable housing. Social inclusion is a priority for us and this is reflected in our products, services and client approach. Our goal is that all of our clients, without distinction, have the opportunity to build their financial health and thrive sustainably, including the most vulnerable populations.”
- Key steps in LGBTI+ employment inclusion | Roman Samotný, Iniciatíva Inakosť
  - Iniciatíva Inakosť has developed a comprehensive training programme for employers, which has already been completed by 25 companies and organisations. This presentation will introduce the 6 modules that make up the “Inclusivity Connects” programme. It will showcase what can be done for inclusion of LGBTI+ people and what steps are important if an employer is striving for a fair workplace where everyone feels welcome.

So far, also the following representatives have confirmed their participation:

Accenture
European Investment Bank
Kyndryl

We will update details of speakers as they become available.

Lunch | 12:30 – 13:00

Refreshments will be served from 12:30 and there will be a space for informal networking. Photos and a video recording will be taken during the event. By participating you consent to their creation and use for the needs of the event organizer.

SPEAKERS

Peter Škyrta

Sustainability Manager | KPMG in Slovakia

Peter is a Sustainability Manager at KPMG in Slovakia, where he helps clients in various industries implement and improve their sustainability and practices in ESG. With more than 16 years of professional experience in this field, he has extensive experience in the implementation of environmental, health and safety (EHS) and ESG management systems, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions calculations and environmental due diligence audits.
He has a PhD in Environmental Engineering and is a certified auditor for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001. He speaks at professional conferences and workshops as an expert on ESG and sustainability and has also contributed to the EKOprofit Bratislava project, where he has supported 32 companies in applying cleaner production principles. His mission is to help clients achieve their sustainability goals and create value for their stakeholders and future generations. Marketing agency Data on Steroids included him in the TOP 100 most influential content creators (sustainability category) on Slovak LinkedIn.

Ivana Vagaská

Executive Director of Business Leaders Forum and ESG Team Lead | Nadácia Pontis

Ivana has focused on corporate responsibility issues since 2012 when she joined the Pontis Foundation. She leads the ESG team, which includes the activities of the Business Leaders Forum, the Diversity Charter in Slovakia, the organization of the Via Bona Slovakia award, as well as corporate volunteering activities. Since the establishment of the Diversity Charter Slovakia in 2017, Ivana has been strategically working on the topics of diversity and inclusion, also providing advice to companies in this area and regular trainings for Charter signatories.

Santiago Mendez

Head of EMEA Coporate Citizenship | Lenovo

Santiago has 20+ years of working experience in the private sector, currently leading Lenovo Corporate Citizenship and Lenovo Social Impact for the Lenovo Foundation in Europe Middle east and Africa.
He is a Founder of the Lenovo Diversitas ERG, awarded as the 2018 Outstanding employee Network by the European Diversity Awards, and sponsor of Lenovo All DEI Charters across Europe and Africa promoting the intersectionality of Diversity in the workplace.
Santiago defines as Slovak by heart, Colombian by blood and a wannabe activist working for a more inclusive and tolerant society.

Beáta Babačová

ESG Specialist and Diversity Inclusion Manager | Slovenská sporiteľňa

Graduated in International Law at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. She works as Diversity, Inclusion and Equality Manager at the largest bank in Slovakia. She is currently involved in supporting vulnerable groups in the workplace and community organising. At the bank she is part of the ESG team, where she is also responsible for monitoring and reporting on social issues. In her spare time, she is dedicated to promoting social innovation in the Austrian organisation Sozial Marie and works with the organisation Female Algorithm to eliminate gender inequalities and stereotypes in society.

Roman Samotný

LGBTI+ activist, founder of Tepláreň, fundraiser and Head of Communication for Iniciatíva Inakosť

Roman studied journalism at Comenius University in Bratislava. Already during and after his studies, he worked in several media houses (TV JOJ, RTVS, SITA, Plus 7 dni). He is the creator of the Queer Slovakia platform, which organizes several events for LGBTI+ community and their beloved ones. It also includes the Tepláreň project, which used to be a bar and a community space. After the terrorist attack, Tepláreň continues as a series of events in various clubs and cultural centers. Since 2010, he has been a member of the Inakosť Initiative, where he is the head of communication, fundraising and events, and is also involved in education on the LGBTI+ topic. In 2022, he received the White Crow Award for civic courage and in 2023 the Award of the Mayor of Bratislava for creating a safe space.

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