ThinkTank

In the ThinkTank, regional companies meet regularly to exchange ideas in cooperation with the Hannover Region Economic Development Agency.

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

Please contact us if you are interested in participating!

The following are currently involved in the think tank:

Annelies Bruhne, Economics Officer, Hanover Regional Church

"The church and diversity: in terms of its self-image and message, there is hardly anyone who advocates diversity as unconditionally as the church. As an organization, however, we have the same weaknesses as others. We only reach all milieus to a limited extent, PoC are rare among us as employees, and not everything shines in the other dimensions either. I want to do my part to ensure that the church itself lives 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 an everyday reality. 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 dialog between cultures because I am convinced that there is more that connects us than divides us. At the same time, I am concerned that racism is becoming increasingly acceptable and is being practiced more openly. It is therefore all the more important to stand up for diversity at an early stage, before exclusion can even arise. After all, diversity is the basis for innovation, cohesion and a sustainable society."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

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

Ermana Nurkovic, Transformation Office, Hannover Region

"Society is diversity. Making this diversity visible is everyone's task. In the current transformation process in particular, it is immensely important that diversity is taken into account and that a particular focus is placed 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 a 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, but stays and really becomes part of Germany's economic success? In my international career in the automotive and chemical industries, I have experienced how enriching different perspectives are, but also how important it is to enable true integration. This means that companies don't just open doors and welcome global talent - they need to feel like they belong and can fulfill their potential. Diversity becomes a competitive advantage when both sides - companies and talents - actively approach each other."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

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

Jasmin Arbabian-Vogel, Managing Director of 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 benefits. We need to initiate processes 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 specifically designed to be intersectional or holistic, so that all dimensions and their connections are crucial. For me as a person, it would be the topic of sexual orientation.

Mahnaz Soltani

"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 an expanded view, which can be the basis for a more complete world view."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

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

Martha Lisiewitz, Consultant to the General Management, 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 incorporate different perspectives, backgrounds and skills. After all, only through diversity of thought, experience and talent can we successfully tackle the challenges of the future. Our economy needs diversity to be innovative, flexible and fit for the future."

The following dimensions are relevant to my work:

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