The transformative power of inclusivity
Creative Denmark
Creating awareness about Danish creative strongholds internationally
Creativity as a driver for quality of life
This article is part of a series that explores how the Danish creative industries play a pivotal role in improving quality of life at a consumer, organisational, and societal level. Find links to the other chapters in the series at the bottom of this article.
Creativity and innovation thrive in environments where inclusivity is prioritised, enabling individuals to bring forward their perspectives and experiences. In addition to being the right thing to do, inclusivity is a powerful catalyst for positive change, driving both social and economic benefits. By ensuring that no one is excluded based on gender, race, class, sexuality, or disability, organisations can cultivate a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere. This approach not only enhances wellbeing for employees but also cultivate a more engaged and productive workforce, leading to significant growth and positive financial outcomes. To achieve these benefits, it is crucial to reevaluate traditional structures and develop inclusive ecosystems that support both individual and organisational goals.
This chapter is written by Sara Krüger Falk , Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Denmark. She explores how promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within organisations can spur creativity and innovation, leading to a future with a thriving population.
Within this chapter, you will also be presented with cases from Be My Eyes, Levitate, Another Life, and MANNA FILM, highlighting how inclusivity can drive innovation and create a more equitable and thriving society. These cases illustrate the transformative impact of inclusive practices, from empowering individuals with disabilities through technology to promoting diverse talent in the music and cultural sectors. Each example underlines the potential for inclusive initiatives to not only improve quality of life but also stimulate creativity and economic growth.
Inclusivity as a catalyst for progress and change
Author: Sara Krüger Falk, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Denmark
Inclusivity is not just the right thing to do morally. It is a powerful catalyst for change as it implies having broader perspectives and understandings that do not exclude members or participants based on gender, race, class, sexuality, disability etc. Working with inclusivity can spur creativity and innovation for a more prosperous future for all.
Inclusivity stands as a beacon of progress and human connection in our ever-evolving global landscape. More than a moral imperative, inclusivity is crucial in enhancing our collective quality of life in numerous ways, weaving the fabric of diverse cultures, ideas, and perspectives.
However, one in six people worldwide still experience discrimination in some form*, with women and people with disabilities disproportionately affected. Inequality threatens long-term social and economic development, jeopardises social cohesion, harms poverty reduction, and causes disparities in opportunities and outcomes, impeding economic efficiency.
Therefore, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all parts of society, for example through business operations, is important in tackling inequality and eliminating discrimination worldwide. Non-discrimination is also a fundamental human right applicable to all individuals enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, forming the bedrock of international human rights standards.
The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact reiterate universal human rights and aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, drive the contribution companies can make toward the enjoyment of human rights, including the right to equality and non-discrimination.
Towards a dynamic exchange of ideas
When individuals from various backgrounds come together, they contribute to a dynamic exchange that deepens our understanding of the world and sparks creativity and innovation. New ideas take root within this rich diversity, propelling societies forward.
Inclusivity is a cornerstone for ensuring equitable access to healthcare, education, and essential resources. A society that advocates inclusivity guarantees that everyone has the same access to opportunities regardless of background. This improves the overall health and well-being of the population and lays the foundation for a fair and just global society.
Driving economic prosperity
Economic prosperity is another result of inclusivity. Inclusive workplaces cultivate collaboration and nurture an environment where different talents converge, leading to heightened productivity and better business outcomes. An organisation that embraces diversity also becomes a hotbed for creativity, where varied perspectives fuel problem-solving and innovation.
As we aspire for progress, we must recognise and celebrate the strength that derives from embracing diversity. By fostering inclusivity, we lay the groundwork for a future where the richness of human diversity becomes a catalyst for a more harmonious, prosperous, and creatively charged society.
Cases
Be My Eyes: Enabling independence and enhancing quality of life through collaborative vision
Be My Eyes is a mobile application that connects people with blindness and low vision with sighted volunteers in the pursuit of creating a more inclusive and accessible world.
Through live video calls, the app empowers blind and low vision users to tackle daily challenges confidently, fostering independence and reducing dependency on others for routine activities.
Be My Eyes exemplifies the positive impact technology can have on individuals' lives. By fostering independence and inclusivity, the app shows the potential for collaborative solutions to address accessibility challenges and improve overall quality of life. Read the case: https://bit.ly/3LR0plz
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Another Life: Striving for a more equitable music and culture sector
Another Life is an award-winning non-profit organisation that works for a more inclusive music and culture sector by aiming to increase representation and improve conditions for minoritised people and women in the industry.
To achieve this, Another Life develops research, facilitates various spaces for learning, and provides a platform for underrepresented talent within music and culture. Through a broad, nuanced and intersectional approach in their research, Another Life focuses on representation based on several parameters including age, ethnicity, disabilities, skin colour, gender identity, mental health, sexuality and socio-economic class.
By sharing their knowledge, Another Life aims to increase intersectional equality and reduce discriminatory behaviour on a structural level by addressing stakeholders in Danish music and cultural life. Read the case: https://bit.ly/46sWhSp
Levitate: Disrupting the prosthetic industry
With low-cost and easy-to-use sports prosthetics, Levitate has built a global community of self-empowered everyday athletes
More than one million people experience lower limb amputations every year, and because of low accessibility and high price range, 80% of amputees remain physically inactive. Therefore, Levitate dedicated itself to making quality prosthetics accessible to all. With their direct-to-consumer and business-to-business models, waiting times have been eliminated, costs are reduced, and the process has been significantly simplified.?Read the case: https://bit.ly/3LJQnCR
MANNA FILM: The Quiet Migration
The Quiet Migration is a Danish film by director Malene Choi, showing the difficult encounter of opposite cultures. It is a powerful coming-of-age story of identity and belonging that shines a light on the difficulties transnational adoptees are faced with.
The Quiet Migration centres around transnational adoption and the difficult formation of kinship in adoptive families. The film intends to portray adoptees and their existence as a part of history, to make hidden lives visible and from an insider’s perspective shed light on some of the unforeseen consequences that this unusual kind of migration causes.
As an adoptee herself, Malene Choi has experienced firsthand what it’s like to live as a hidden minority in Denmark amongst the majority – within white adoptive families. Read the case: https://bit.ly/46sP5WD
Read the rest of the series right here:
Creative Denmark assists international stakeholders and decision makers in exploring solutions, products, and processes within the Danish creative industries. As a not-for-profit, public-private partnership Creative Denmark’s primary objective is to connect international demand for innovative solutions with Danish creative companies and competencies. Focus is on raising awareness about the transformative potential of Danish creativity as a driver for sustainability and increased quality of life.
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Creative Denmark is funded by a strong group of public and private partners: Erhvervsministeriet , Udenrigsministeriet , Kulturministeriet , DI - Dansk Industri / DI Kreative Erhverv , Dansk Erhverv , and Realdania .