Change Dinner and Lunch

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In times when populism and hate speech are gaining increasing influence, it is crucial to take a stand—for diversity, for an open society, and for democracy. What responsibility do companies bear in this context? How can they contribute not only to supporting these values but also to visibly living them out in their daily work? 

To address these questions, nearly 60 representatives from small and large companies in the region gathered at the invitation of the Region Hannover Economic Development Agency. The focus of the evening was on dialogue—talking with one another, learning from one another, and discovering new perspectives.

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At the third Change Lunch in the series “THE FUTURE NEEDS DIVERSITY,” the focus was on the often-overlooked aspect of diversity known as “neurodiversity.” In her interactive presentation, Dr. Kathrin Rüschenschmidt, Director of Innovation Process & PMO at Emerson, explored what neurodiversity means and what opportunities arise for companies when neurodiverse talents are recognized, understood, and specifically supported. Whether ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or dyslexia—it became clear that different ways of thinking and unique strengths can foster innovation, precision, and new perspectives in the right environment.

Afterward, during a group lunch, participants took the opportunity to share their experiences, discuss existing challenges, and jointly develop ideas on how to better support neurodiverse employees in their daily work and integrate them into the corporate culture.

At the Change Dinner, which took place this time in cooperation with the Unternehmerverbände Niedersachsen e.V. (UVN), we addressed the questions of how we can actively advocate for democracy in the context of diversity and how companies can take concrete responsibility. The presentations by the Society for Civil Liberties and Project Together were both enriching and thought-provoking; they forcefully highlighted current threats to our democracy and presented concrete and inspiring examples of how companies are already actively committed to democracy and diversity, taking responsibility and demonstrating it in practice. 

A very brief conclusion: “Change is possible!”

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In her keynote address, Prof. Dr. Annika Schach from Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts discussed how companies can harness the opportunities presented by employees’ diverse backgrounds, reduce discrimination, and create their own success stories. Afterward, over a delicious lunch provided by the event and catering team at Juniver-Jugenderufshilfe Diakonie Hannover gGmbH, participants discussed experiences from their institutions and companies.

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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 cozy atmosphere and well-catered for by Küfa – Küche für alle, companies came together to talk, exchange experiences and challenges, and share how the integration of employees from diverse backgrounds can be organized and anchored in corporate culture.

The discussion was enriched by a keynote presentation from the Welcome Center on the integration of foreign workers and the Skilled Worker Immigration Act.

© Region Hannover

This traditional networking event kicked off on March 9, 2023, with the “Change Dinner”—a networking event with a unique twist: each executive was accompanied by a young professional of the opposite gender.

The evening featured two keynote presentations. The approximately 40 participants had the opportunity to discuss the topics of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to network in a relaxed atmosphere.

The composition of the tables was specifically designed to break down barriers and hierarchies and shed light on different perspectives. The event was partnered by PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH.