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IGLCC invites multi-nationals to be part of the first  International Business Equality Index
 

BRUSSELS, February 5, 2009  –  Major international companies and corporations are being invited by the International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (IGLCC) to participate in the first world-wide survey that will result in an International Business Equality Index.

The survey will measure how companies are performing internationally in issues related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community.

To be eligible, companies have to employ more than 10,000 people and have to operate in at least three different countries.

Both the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) and ILGA-Europe are working with the IGLCC in the search.

“ILGA-Europe sees the launch of this International Business Equality Index as a new milestone in the work towards full equality in employment,” Linda Freimane, co-chair of ILGA-Europe, said today.

“This Index sends a signal to international businesses that they have a responsibility to promote diversity and inclusion, and to ensure that LGBT employees have equal access to the same benefits and rights as all other employees.

“It addresses the need for the inclusion of the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity during diversity training, and also the tackling of LGBT harassment in workplaces which is crucial for LGBT people’s safety in employment,” she pointed out.

The Index provides an excellent and timely opportunity for corporations to be among the first to show their support for the global LGBTI community and benefit from its workforce and economic power.  A further direct benefit of participation is the chance for corporations to evaluate and enhance their LGBTI policies and practices.

In this challenging time of economic uncertainty, participation in an Index of such broad scope provides the exact edge that corporations might need to be ‘ahead of the curve’.

“It is important to state that this Index intends to serve as an educational tool as well as a yard stick,” commented the other ILGA-Europe co-chair Martin K.I. Christensen.

“The intention is therefore to reward the international corporations that have consistently adopted a positive outlook towards LGBT people’s inclusion and equality, and at the same time use this opportunity to assist companies that may this time score a little lower to perform better in the future.

“Through this Index we intend to extend our invitation to companies to consult us on improve LGBT inclusion and diversity within their workplaces and beyond.”

Pascal Lépine, secretary-general of IGLCC, said that the Index is one of the most important initiatives ever launched at the international level to advance LGBT diversity in the business world.

“It gives a concrete sign that a corporation supports the LGBT community by its dedication and commitment and provides vital access to our ever expanding market segment. ”

“There is a conscious desire from everyone working at the international level to understand how diversity can best be used to advance their business.  This Index is a clear response to this and other questions from the international business world such as: Are we doing enough with the vast potential represented by the LGBT community?”

The deadline for completion of the survey is April 30th 2009 with the results being announced during the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights held during the World Outgames in Copenhagen from July 25 to August 2, 2009.

Chairing the International Business Equality Index Committee is David Pollard, Head of European Affairs – ING (the Netherlands).

Among those serving on the committee are:

• Pascal Lépine, Secretary General – IGLCC (Canada)
• César Maschmann, Director of Communications & Member Services – IGLCC (Canada)
• Silvan Agius, Policies & Programs Officer - ILGA Europe (Belgium)
• Stephen Barris, Communications Officer - ILGA World (Belgium)
• Angelo Caltagirone, President - EGMA (Switzerland)
• Manfred Wondrak, President – AGPRO (Austria)
• Irwin Drucker, Program Director, GLBT & International Programs - IBM (United States)
• Paul Overdijk, Director Strategy - TNT (the Netherlands)
• Jean-Luc Vey, Business Manager - Deutsche Bank (Germany)

Click HERE for further information and to register.

■ The International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce  was founded in 2006 in Hamburg, Germany and is based in Montréal, Canada.  The IGLCC is the world’s leading international LGBT business network.  Membership is made up of organizations represented by 17 chambers of commerce and business organizations in 14 countries.  The IGLCC connects business leaders local, national and internationally.

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