Bonn,Copenhagen – The overall theme of this year’s Copenhagen 2021 is #YouAreIncluded. This powerful, all-encompassing statement underlines that everybody is part of the society including all gender, ethnic and national origin, race, color, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation and identity or any other characteristics protected by law. Parallel to WorldPride, EuroGames, an inclusive LGBT+ sports event, is starting on 16 August. Athletes from a total of 22 sports will compete. Both events aim to create greater awareness and acceptance of the LGBT+ life situation and the stance against discrimination. In this way, the event embodies the same values as DHL with its purpose “Connecting People. Improving Lives.”
Source: Copenhagen 2021
“We are proud to partner with Copenhagen WorldPride 2021. Reaching diversity, equity and inclusion is one of the major tasks in our modern society”, says John Pearson, CEO DHL Express. “Living diversity and promoting inclusion is an integral part of the Group’s DNA and unity with acceptance is a core strength of our network. Throughout our business, no one should have to hide because of sexual orientation or gender identity. We accept all employees as they are and we want the best working conditions for everyone, without exception. As a world leader, we see it as our responsibility to make a strong commitment to this and to continue to promote the topic within our society that’s why it is firmly anchored in our strategy.”
Copenhagen 2021 combines WorldPride and EuroGames. WorldPride is a celebration of inclusivity and love that promotes equality, arts and human rights through marches, festivals, and other cultural activities. With thousands of visitors, the event is the most significant LGBT+ Pride event worldwide in 2021. The EuroGames is a sports program including tournaments, a public program, a Sports Leader Conference, and Sports Village. The sports program is also created to be as inclusive as possible. It will be accessible to those who have trained for years as well as those who just happen to pass by.
“As a truly global event, Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride and EuroGames is delighted to partner with an authentically global brand like DHL,” said Benjamin Hansen, Executive Managing Director of Copenhagen 2021. “While we provide activities for thousands of people in Copenhagen and Malmö, we’ll simultaneously deliver a digital program to a global audience with a potential reach of many millions.”
DHL Express has a longstanding commitment in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. As the most international company in the world, it is essential to create an inclusive workplace that offers the same great working environment and equal opportunities to everyone. DHL has many initiatives and activities dedicated to different aspects of diversity, such as gender, ethnic and national origin, race, color, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation and identity or any other characteristic protected by law. These range from trainings and workshops to Employee Resource Groups such as the Rainbownet, a network for LGBT+ employees and allies within the Group, pocket guides on the topic of LGBT+, the refugee initiative and collaborative projects within the Group’s GoTeach programme, which support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds on their successful career path.
DHL’s commitment is also positively evaluated by external awards, with all of the Group’s divisions having already received Top Employer certification. In addition, DHL Express was named the world’s second-best employer by Great Place to Work in 2020. Deutsche Post DHL Group is also a founding member of the PrOut@Work Foundation, a foundation that aims to increase awareness around the LGBT+ community in the workplace in ways that can be seen, felt and experienced.
