UN GLOBAL COMPACT


“An eye-opening workshop that opened up not only our eyes and minds but our hearts!”
Blueyse had the privilege of delivering two workshops as part of the UN Global Compact NL peer learning series on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The UN Global Compact is the largest sustainability network worldwide. These events brought together up to 30 representatives from companies and organizations across the Netherlands, spanning roles from DEI specialists to sales directors, all united by a shared drive to cultivate better inclusion in their respective workplaces.
In one of the sessions, we were happy to co-organize alongside AkzoNobel and independently delivered the final workshop of the series. Each session was designed to promote learning and sharing effective practices to build better inclusion and working relationships.
Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes
Informed by the attendees, the focus of the last session organized by Blueyse was on microaggressions and their impact on business. By using an impactful approach that left a lasting impression, we hoped that this style of workshop and learning would register more deeply with the participants and provide lessons that they would more likely hold on to long-term.
We collaborated with the wonderful Şeydâ Buurman-Kutsal. Participants were guided through a safe, controlled environment to explore power dynamics, privilege, and discrimination.
Change management and polarization
Working together with Karim El Oteify, CEO of The Wheels of Impact. He was a keynote speaker at the session on change management and polarization that we organized with AkzoNobel. Throughout the talk, Karim emphasizes the need to move from societal and organizational polarization to embracing multiplicity by fostering open, inclusive dialogue and challenging assumptions. He spoke engagingly on the importance of addressing systemic dynamics, such as power imbalances at work to drive meaningful DEI progress.
Experiential learning leaves a lasting impact, offering participants direct insights into the systems and roles they navigate in daily life. Workshops like these are effective for bringing about empathy, challenging ingrained behaviors, and equipping individuals with tools to create inclusive, thriving workplaces.
What was learned: why organizations benefit from such workshops
The workshop was designed to give the participants insights into power structures and dynamics that exist both in business and daily life. It also gave them a clearer understanding of their own roles within these systems. We believe that learning through experience leaves a deeper, longer-lasting impression, as participants directly connect with how these dynamics feel. There are many ways for organizations to implement DEI initiatives, but what’s most important is equipping teams and departments with the tools and skills they need to create a workplace where everyone can thrive. This can lead to positive benefits for organizations overall, for example, leading to a better work culture, employee relations, and even fiscal results.
