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The Walt Disney Company, Squire Patton Boggs, and The LEGO Group show their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through Public Policy New Voices Europe
The need for diverse voices and fresh perspectives is undeniable in the evolving landscape of public policy. Organizations like The Walt Disney Company, Squire Patton Boggs, and The LEGO Group have recognized the importance of nurturing the next generation of diverse leaders in the public policy arena. Together, they support Salzburg Global’s Public Policy New Voices Europe program, showing their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Public Policy New Voices Europe connects, supports, and empowers a new generation of diverse leaders in public policy across Europe. This dynamic year-long fellowship program seeks to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and emerging leaders in the public policy arena by providing a platform for support, mentorship, networking, and skill-building.
As the program enters its third year, it has so far supported more than 90 emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds across 16 different European countries to gain a deeper understanding of public policy topics, exposure to different career fields, and meaningful connections with others who understand them and have undergone similar life experiences.
For The Walt Disney Company, Squire Patton Boggs, and The LEGO Group, supporting the Public Policy New Voices Europe program is an integral part of their broader DEI strategies and core values.
The Walt Disney Company has partnered with Salzburg Global since 2021 on this program. Jim Filippatos, Vice President for Global Public Policy at The Walt Disney Company, said that they chose Salzburg Global as a partner for expanding the Public Policy New Voices US program into Europe because they “prioritized finding an organization that is well-aligned with Disney’s values, Disney’s vision, and can keep consistency across the programs in the US and Europe while understanding the European context”. Both partners want to contribute to building and sustaining a long-term network of diverse leaders in public policy to create a better policy ecosystem.
Squire Patton Boggs’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is the driving force behind the international law firm’s support for the Public Policy New Voices Europe program. Klaudia Bequart, Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager for Continental Europe at Squire Patton Boggs, stated that this program “directly aligns with the firm’s core values and longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both within the firm and society at large. This unique program enables Fellows in public policy across Europe an opportunity for both personal and professional development.” The program empowers Fellows to “recognize that they not only belong but that they can succeed and thrive when pursuing their career objectives. Participating in this program has a direct link with the firm’s focus on driving meaningful change which results in equitable and inclusive working environments."
Wolfgang Maschek, Partner and Chair of the European Public Policy Practice at Squire Patton Boggs, further explained that “the program attracted [Squire Patton Boggs] because it matches our own ambitions as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We need to do more to bring more voices into the public policy arena and that's why we have decided as a firm to support the program. It very much matches our own ambitions internally, so we're very happy that we have found a place where we can also demonstrate our commitment externally.”
The LEGO Group shares a commitment to shaping a society that supports diversity and inclusion. Larisa Pircalabelu, Head of EU Affairs at The LEGO Group, explained that they are “committed to embedding diversity and inclusion into the delivery of products, experiences and communications for our colleagues, communities, and role models: children. We have rolled out several programs and workplace initiatives worldwide to reflect this commitment, and we’re thrilled to support the Public Policy New Voices Europe program, empowering a new generation of diverse leaders in public policy.”
It's clear to all three companies that including new voices in public policy is crucial for creating a more equitable and inclusive society.
The LEGO Group recognizes that having more diverse voices represented leads to more inclusive policymaking. Larisa elaborated that “embracing different ideas, opinions, and approaches is what will shape a society inclusive of all and celebrating all. Nurturing emerging young leaders to shape a more inclusive future for policymaking will lead the way to a more progressive and prosperous future for everyone’s benefit.”
The inclusion of voices from all communities produces better policy outcomes, as Jim (The Walt Disney Company) explained how “diverse perspectives allow institutions to assess global events and trends, interact with local leaders and policymakers, and navigate complex problems and ideas more effectively. When different perspectives and different voices are being heard in a positive, open way, we see better outcomes.”
Klaudia (Squire Patton Boggs) elaborated that “policies that are being developed and implemented will only be successful if they are built with an understanding and appreciation for the wider impact on anyone that is involved. Representation and broadened perspectives are key factors in the development and implementation of equitable policies."
All companies can benefit from investing in programs that increase diversity and support a better policy environment. Jim (The Walt Disney Company) provided a compelling call to action, saying that "helping diverse new voices in public policy develop their careers, skills, and opportunities is not only the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do because it benefits all companies to have a better policy environment. It's long-term thinking because we all need to invest now to see benefits and a better future later.”
Wolfgang (Squire Patton Boggs) emphasized that connecting corporations and supporting a cohort of empowered individuals leads to a strong network effect where “one plus one equals three or maybe even more… because [Fellows] have been empowered in their own thinking [and] in their own life, this can lead to a strong network effect. Therefore, it's of great interest for us as corporations to work together to support such progress." This, in turn, can empower others and increase representation in the public policy context. He hopes that the Public Policy New Voices Europe program in Salzburg is an inspiration not only for the students and the corporations involved but that it will be followed by other institutions elsewhere, as “it is in many corporations' interests to increase diversity within their own decision-making processes and leadership functions”.
Klaudia (Squire Patton Boggs) reiterated that “combining efforts and means necessary to tackle systemic barriers to equitable policymaking, both on a local and global level, will enable the sustainable shift that’s vital in today’s global society… As organizations and individuals with common values come together to tackle some of the systemic barriers and challenges the field faces, an incredible sense of possibility and responsibility is felt”.
These companies’ collective efforts to foster diversity and inclusion in public policy are a reflection of their commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive society. They recognize that diversity isn't just a moral imperative; it's an essential element for achieving better policy outcomes and adapting to an ever-changing world. As they continue to invest in programs like Public Policy New Voices Europe, they set an example for others to follow.
Find out more about Public Policy New Voices Europe.