The Portuguese Charter for Diversity marks its 10th anniversary on Tuesday, March 31, currently bringing together 614 signatory organizations in Portugal, including companies, public institutions, municipalities, and civil society entities.
Coordinated in Portugal by the Portuguese Association for Diversity and Inclusion (APPDI) and promoted by the European Commission, this voluntary initiative aims to encourage employers from different sectors to develop policies and practices that promote diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace.
According to APPDI, the growth in the number of organizations joining over the last decade reflects the consolidation of commitment to diversity and inclusion within the Portuguese business and institutional fabric, reaching thousands of people across the country.
The Portuguese Charter for Diversity rests on the recognition, respect, and valuing of differences among people, covering dimensions such as gender, sexual orientation, age, origin, religion, disability, or socioeconomic context. For signatory entities, this commitment is assumed as an ethical imperative and integrated into their values and actions.
Over these 10 years, the initiative has given rise to several actions and projects, including the Working Groups, the Diversity Seal, the Inclusive Recruitment Guide, the National Forum for Diversity and Inclusion, and, more recently, the DEI Summit. These initiatives have involved the network of signatory entities and other partners, contributing to the promotion of more inclusive, innovative organizational cultures, aligned with the reality of Portuguese society.
Cited in a press release, João Santos Tavares, president of the Portuguese Association for Diversity and Inclusion, underlines that “over these 10 years, the Portuguese Charter for Diversity has come to stand as a reference in promoting more inclusive organizational cultures in Portugal.”
The official adds that “the numbers we mark today reflect not only the growth of the initiative, but also the tangible commitment of organizations to integrate diversity as a strategic factor for development.”
