Inclusion Day: Respected, Heard, Empowered

Our RED Days provide dedicated time for reflection, learning, and growth on key topics vital to our business and future. In the second edition, over 5,000 participants engaged in remote and in-person events centered on "The Future of Life," examining demographic, economic, and social trends to develop a new paradigm for welfare, pensions, and healthcare while promoting coexistence among generations and cultures. Highlights included the “Generation without Borders” laboratory, which challenged generational barriers through interactive games, and a workshop led by Shata Diallo, advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, that emphasized the importance of diversity in overcoming differences for an inclusive future.

As Banca Generali, we proudly participated in Inclusion Day, focusing on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. We celebrated by advancing our journey toward inclusive language, recognizing its power to shape minds and build an inclusive culture. On September 27th, all employees were invited to the "Do You Speak Inclusion: Cross Cultural" event, where we explored terms like "culture," "multiculturalism," and "Cultural intelligence," and how language impacts inclusion. The General Manager of Banca Generali shared his international experience, and nearly 300 colleagues attended. 

On September 27, 2024, Generali Investments celebrated Inclusion Day with a webinar focused on cross-cultural approaches to inclusion. The session explored the connections between multiculturalism, equity, inclusion, and diversity, and how personal biases shape perceptions. Colleagues shared their experiences, offering insights on integrating inclusive practices and respectful language into daily work.

At GOSP, we are dedicated to promoting inclusion and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe and empowered to express themselves fully. We are excited to announce the launch of "Inclusive Behavior Workshops" in October. These voluntary workshops, open to all functions and hierarchies, will be conducted in small groups of up to eight participants with internal facilitators. The focus will be on identifying practical behaviors to stop, start, and continue to foster a more inclusive workplace.

From September 23 to 27, Care Hub celebrated Inclusion Day with several events sponsored by Generali. Highlights included an online conference featuring Virginie Babinet, CEO Travel Assistance & Assurance Europ Assistance, as a guest speaker and the launch of the DEI Charter & Kit, followed by three info sessions open to all employees. Additionally, the "Run Like a Girl" event took place in Saint-Denis, with former football champion and gender equality advocate Nicole Abar leading discussions on gender equality and inclusion.

We also had the privilege of hosting Nicole ABAR at Europ Assistance, a former football champion and expert in gender equality and inclusion. Her talk shed light on gender biases in sports and society, as well as her efforts to address these issues with children. Events like this reinforce our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.

Argentina

The first Inclusion Day was held on Wednesday, September 25th, with the aim of raising awareness about diversity and encouraging more people to become allies. Organized with the DEI Committee, the day featured both in-person and virtual activities. At Headquarters, five interactive stands focused on gender, disability, generations, cultural diversity, and LGBTQIA+ topics. The event opened with a disability expert from the Córdoba branch and concluded with a talk by a trans specialist at Headquarters with a participation of over 300 people nationwide.

Ecuador

On October 3rd, Generali Ecuador hosted an inspirational talk featuring Evelyn Labanda, the first person in Ecuador with Down Syndrome to graduate from university. Evelyn, also a TV presenter and part-time employee at a state company, shared her inspiring life journey with the company. Her story is a testament to perseverance and resilience, highlighting how she overcame numerous challenges.

Portugal

Generali Tranquilidade in Portugal launched its new internal podcast, "2 Coffees and the Bill: Conversations for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," on Inclusion Day. The podcast aims to give employees a platform to share their thoughts and stories on DEI topics such as culture, gender, age, disability, and LGBTQIA+ to raise awareness and engage more people in the DEI cause.

Spain

To celebrate Inclusion Day in Spain, we held a Teams meeting with over 80 participants, where we shared our DEI strategy, key initiatives, and the achievements of our DEI journey. The event included both current Generali employees and new colleagues. This meeting provided an opportunity for them to get to know Generali better, and we were excited to learn about their eagerness to volunteer and actively contribute to our teamwork.

For Generali Germany, Inclusion Day focuses on listening, sharing, and engaging with our people in person. “Inclusion Day booths” provide an inclusive space for honest encounters between employees and top management, ERG members, and the Culture & DEI team. The goal is to listen and learn: where we stand today, what we are doing well, and where we can improve. Inclusion is a responsibility for all of us, reflected in our daily actions and attitudes. Our events aim to reach as many employees as possible, hear their voices, and get to know their stories. A true highlight was having Monica Possa and Jean-Laurent Granier at our Munich booth, alongside Stefan Lehmann, key supporters and dedicated allies driving Generali's DEI mission.

Generali Switzerland's Inclusion Day featured events promoting workplace diversity and inclusion. Monica Possa emphasized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in creating a supportive environment. Simona Alpiger, recent university graduate, presented her research on neurodiversity, offering insights on how to better include neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. Online self-care sessions also provided practical tips for well-being. Active participation sparked discussions for future initiatives, reinforcing the importance of an inclusive and diverse community.

Slovenia

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, we hosted the webinar "Invisible Threads - How Dementia Weaves Our Lives," aimed at deepening understanding of dementia and offering best practices for supporting those affected. The event featured two expert speakers: Štefanija L. Zlobec, President of Spominčica - Alzheimer Slovenia, and Professor Dr. Zvezdan Pirtošek, MD, a specialist in neurology at UKC Ljubljana.

The webinar covered key topics including:

• What dementia is and its various types.
• How dementia progresses and signs to look for in loved ones.
• The importance of early diagnosis and where to get help.
• Effective communication with people living with dementia.
• The impact of dementia on family dynamics.

Participants actively engaged by asking questions and sharing experiences, contributing to an open and enriching discussion. The event helped raise awareness about dementia, a growing concern affecting younger populations.

Czech Republic and Slovakia

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, we organized three impactful events focused on inclusive language and communication. The first event was a lecture by Zdenek Sloboda, a leading university expert on inclusive language, organized in collaboration with our partner D&I Shapers by OPIM. Next, we held a webinar on inclusive communication, offering participants practical tips on how to collaborate in a more inclusive way. The final event was an online session for employees, presenting an overview of local DEI activities, ERGs, and initiatives, led by local DEI specialist Eva Brezikova. In total, we engaged nearly 100 employees, which was an incredible result.

Poland

To celebrate Inclusion Day, Generali hosted Breakfast with Generali & Friends, uniting employees to enjoy a variety of dishes from different cultures, highlighting the strength of diversity. CEO Roger Hodgkiss attended, emphasizing Generali's commitment to inclusion at all levels. The event reinforced one of our core values, #WeLiveTheCommunity, by fostering a sense of belonging and respect. At Generali, we celebrate our differences while working together as one team.

Serbia

Due to Serbia's office move, no live event could be organized for Inclusion Day. However, all employees received an email with a guide on how to be inclusive colleagues. Ivana Mulić, our Organizational Culture Manager, shared 8 practical tips to foster an environment of mutual respect and support. Additionally, employees were reminded about the upcoming Global Engagement Survey, which offers an opportunity to share thoughts and ideas for further improving the work environment.

Generali France celebrated its first Inclusion Day on September 24, engaging employees nationwide in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The day featured team discussions, workshops on DEI topics like gender and disability, and an interactive remote session. Over 520 employees joined a round-table discussion with CEO Jean-Laurent Granier and other leaders. The event also included pastries from ESATs, supporting disabled workers. More than 800 employees participated, both in person and remotely, with plans to repeat the event next year.

For Inclusion Day, Karin Simonitsch and Sreco Dolanc shared how Marien-Apotheke became a model for integrating people with disabilities. Simonitsch's decision to hire a deaf employee years ago turned inclusion into a successful business case.

In their keynote on September 25, they discussed the benefits of employing people with disabilities, challenges faced by the deaf, and ways to provide equal care. Simonitsch, who manages Marien-Apotheke, has long supported deaf employees, including Sreco Dolanc, Austria's only deaf pharmacist, who now advises customers and manages the pharmacy’s lab.

In addition, On October 1, we celebrated Inclusion Day with the “We're All About You” event, emphasizing individual uniqueness. Paralympic swimmer Andreas Onea gave an inspiring keynote on overcoming challenges. A panel discussion with CEO Gregor Pilgram and others followed, focusing on equal opportunities and turning obstacles into opportunities, regardless of age, gender, disability, or identity.