ThinkTank

Regional companies meet regularly at ThinkTank for an inspiring exchange in cooperation with the Hannover Region Economic Development Agency.

The collaboration in the Think Tank creates a space for exchange for organizations committed to diversity. At the same time, the Think Tank can provide the Economic Development Agency with input on desired support measures to be offered within the Hannover region in order to further strengthen diversity. The Think Tank is composed of researchers, companies, and start-ups from the Hannover region and exchanges ideas in regular meetings. The meetings take place quarterly.

Please get in touch if you are interested in participating!

Currently involved in the think tank:

Annelies Bruhne, Economic Affairs Officer, Hanover Regional Church

"Church and diversity: In its self-image and message, there is hardly anyone who advocates diversity as unconditionally as the church. But as an organization, we have the same weaknesses as others. We only reach all milieus to a limited extent, people of color are rare among our employees, and not everything is perfect in other areas either. I want to do my part to ensure that the church itself lives up to what we want for society, and I am happy to benefit from others and their experiences here in the network."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

Age, gender, social diversity

Eileen Al-Zubairy, Online Marketing for Organizations & NGOs

"For me, diversity is not an abstract concept, but part of everyday life. We speak three languages in my family, and intercultural exchange shapes my life and my work. As an ethnologist with many years of professional experience in the intercultural field, I am actively committed to dialogue between cultures because I am convinced that we have more in common than divides us. At the same time, I am concerned that racism is becoming increasingly acceptable and openly expressed. That is why it is all the more important to stand up for diversity at an early stage, before exclusion can even arise. Because diversity is the basis for innovation, cohesion, and a sustainable society."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

Intercultural dialogue, cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity, social participation, anti-Muslim racism

Ermana Nurkovic, Transformation Office, Hanover Region

"Society is diversity. Making this diversity visible is everyone's responsibility. Especially in the current transformation process, it is immensely important to take diversity into account and, in particular, to focus on equality and participation. If we want to shape a transformation process that does justice to our society in 2024, it will only work with diversity as its foundation."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

Gender & equality, participation, social background

Harita Hinglajia, Purchasing - Global Category Manager, Continental AG

"How can we ensure that international talent not only comes to Germany, but stays and truly becomes part of the country's economic success? In my international career in the automotive and chemical industries, I have experienced how enriching different perspectives can be, but also how important it is to enable genuine integration. This means that companies must not only open their doors and welcome global talent—they must also make them feel like they belong and enable them to develop their potential. Diversity becomes a competitive advantage when both sides—companies and talent—actively reach out to each other."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

Cultural diversity – Successfully integrating international talent and strengthening intercultural cooperation
Leadership & responsibility – Recognizing diversity as a strategic success factor and actively promoting it
Structural diversity – Clear strategies for sustainable integration and development

Jasmin Arbabian-Vogel, Managing Director, Interkultureller Sozialdienst GmbH

Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Sweden in Lower Saxony

Lukas Dotzauer, Deputy Managing Director, kreHtiv Netzwerk Hannover e.V.

"Diversity alone does not bring advantages. We must set processes in motion to unleash this diversity and empower people to learn together what a truly diverse society can look like."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

Our project is deliberately intersectional and holistic in design, so that all dimensions and their connections are crucial. For me as a person, it would be the issue of sexual orientation.

Mahnaz Stavropoulos

"For me, diversity means getting closer to the truth of life. Because if we are honest, we know that the world is so complex that we can only understand it if we make assumptions and simplifications to make it accessible to us, our level of knowledge, and our perspective. Therefore, diversity first creates a broader perspective, which can be the basis for a more complete worldview."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

Gender, cultural, linguistic, professional, social, and age diversity

Martha Heinson, Advisor to the Executive Board, Lower Saxony Business Associations

"Diversity is not a luxury, but a key driver of innovation and growth in the economy. As business associations, we recognize the transformative power of diversity. In an increasingly globalized and digitalized world, it is essential that companies promote and embrace different perspectives, backgrounds, and skills. Only through diversity of thought, experience, and talent can we successfully meet the challenges of the future. Our economy needs diversity in order to be innovative, flexible, and sustainable."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

Interdisciplinarity, age diversity, gender diversity, cultural and linguistic diversity