Chaired by Dr Tracey Leghorn, the Forum will enact Equality, Diversity & Inclusion measures.
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has announced the launch of its Sector Inclusion Forum, an advisory body for the development and implementation of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) strategies.
The purpose of the Forum will be to facilitate task groups to address specific challenges, create EDI communities to foster broader member involvement, and endorse the objectives of CIWM’s EDI strategy.
The Forum will be chaired by Dr Tracey Leghorn, Chief Business Services Officer at SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK. Other members will represent the waste and recycling sector, including key stakeholder groups such as the Environmental Services Association (ESA) and Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills), as well as CIWM members, Trustees, and staff.
Dr Leghorn commented: “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.”
The first output of the Forum is a Section Inclusion Forum Charter, which outlines how the group will help achieve the required outcomes of the EDI strategy.
CIWM’s EDI strategy highlights several initiatives aimed at improving inclusion within the sector. These include:
- EDI Glossary: A resource developed to help CIWM staff, members, and industry professionals to understand EDI concepts and terminology.
- EDI e-learning course: A course designed to shift mindsets and encourage practical actions.
- Code of Conduct: Establishing clear and consistent standards of behaviour and attitude.
- Flexible working and wellbeing policies: A review of CIWM’s internal policies on workplace accommodations and employee wellbeing.
Discussing 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.”
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