The first step to driving inclusion and equity is to build empathy and understanding. Starting Juneteenth 2020, SABIC launched the Americas region wide Dialogues that matter sessions. These sessions were intended to provide a safe space for honest conversations and share experiences so that the bigger SABIC population had a bigger understanding on race related issues both within SABIC and in the bigger community.

Every quarter one or more such virtual sessions were scheduled highlighting specific topics pertinent to the sense of belonging but also provided a open platform for employees to share life experiences. The sessions were designed by different employee groups and aimed at being authentic, personal and meaningful. The topics ranged from unconscious biases and behaviors, discussions about cultural differences, stereotypes and racism across Latin America and the U.S, Allyship, Gender Equity. It had external speakers, role plays and sharing of personal experiences.

The effect of these sessions has brought a greater sense of empathy within the employee population on race related issues. There was greater interest in participation in ERG networks, Allyship networks etc. The participation has also been steadily increasing as well for these sessions.

Maya Nair