Embracing Diversity

Because of gender stereotypes, women are still given fewer opportunities in life and they have to put more effort into making people understand their value and creativity. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people can also be discriminated against because of prejudices and biases. Embracing diversity is essential for developing the talent of everyone and for promoting creativity and innovation in academic, social and corporate environments. This 4-week course is aimed at understanding what the roots of biases and stereotypes are, what practical solutions are possible to adopt to promote the inclusion of women and LGBT people in these environments, and why gender and sexual diversity drives innovation and generates new energy. The course also reports the cases of some businesses that have decided to apply this strategy, successfully, in promoting the inclusion of women and LGBT people to create a fertile, authentic work environment for everyone. To understand these practices, the course participants will get to know two associations that initiated an effort to alter conscious and unconscious biases. Finally, the course provides a bibliography about gender and sexuality.