Change Dinner and Lunch

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The third Change Lunch in the series FUTURE NEEDS DIVERSITY focused on the often underestimated aspect of diversity known as "neurodiversity." In her interactive presentation, Dr. Kathrin Rüschenschmidt, Director of Innovation Process & PMO at Emerson, explained what neurodivergence means and what opportunities arise for companies when neurodivergent talents are recognized, understood, and specifically promoted. Whether ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or dyslexia – it became clear that different ways of thinking and special strengths can open up innovative power, precision, and new perspectives in the right environment.

Afterwards, participants took the opportunity during a joint lunch to exchange experiences, discuss existing challenges, and develop ideas on how neurodiverse employees can be better supported in their everyday work and integrated into the corporate culture.

At the Change Dinner, which this time took place in cooperation with the Unternehmerverbände Niedersachsen e.V. (UVN) , we addressed the questions of how we can actively promote democracy in the context of diversity and how companies can take concrete responsibility. Enriched and inspired to reflect, the impulses from the Society for Civil Rights and Project Together, which urgently pointed out current threats to our democracy and showed concrete and exciting examples of how companies are already actively committed to democracy and diversity, taking responsibility and demonstrating this.

A very brief conclusion: "Change is possible!"

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The keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Annika Schach from Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts focused on how companies can integrate the opportunities offered by the diverse backgrounds of their employees, break down discrimination, and write their own success stories. Afterwards, the participants discussed their experiences from their institutions and companies over a delicious lunch provided by the event and catering team of Juniver- Jugenderufshilfe Diakonie Hannover gGmbH .

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The second event took place on February 7, 2024, in the form of a Change Lunch. This time, the focus was on the diversity dimension of "ethnic origin & nationality."

In a relaxed atmosphere and well catered for byKüfa – Küche für alle (Kitchen for Everyone), the companies engaged in conversation, exchanged experiences and challenges, and reported on how the integration of employees from different backgrounds can be organized and anchored in the corporate culture.

The exchange was expanded by a keynote speech from the Welcome Center on the integration of foreign workers and the Skilled Immigration Act.

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This classic networking event kicked off on March 9, 2023, with the "Change Dinner" – a networking event with a special feature: each manager was accompanied by a young professional of the opposite sex.

The evening was accompanied by two keynote speeches. The approximately 40 participants had the opportunity to discuss and network on the topics of diversity and inclusion in the company in a relaxed atmosphere.

The composition of the tables was specifically designed to break down barriers and hierarchies and highlight different perspectives. PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH was a partner of the event.