Top academics develop tool to enhance inclusive workplace culture in corporate world

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana
A unique tool developed to improve the inclusive workplace culture in the corporate sector was presented by three senior university academics in the country this week, at Monarch Imperial. 
Themed as ‘Ignite – Inclusion – Initiative’, a concept to educate corporate leaders on how to rethink and revisit practices of inclusion, to create more inclusive organisations through tailor-made training programmes, was launched by Catalyst Sri Lanka. 
A group of academics from different fields of specialisation, who founded Catalyst Sri Lanka, aims to infuse key developments and findings on diversity and inclusion made in the education sector into the activities of the corporate sector.

One of the four academics, Prof. Hemamalie Gunatilaka, who has specialised in women and gender studies, addressing a gathering of corporate leaders said it is high time to think about the quality of human resources, especially during an economically difficult time.
She said there are subtle areas of diversity, where people treat others over their gender or sexuality, caste or creed or even things like personality and body image. 
“Do not put down a person because he or she is different from the rest,” Prof. Gunatilaka said.
One of the other co-founders, Prof. Prabha Manuratne, who has specialised in linguistics and English, explained that they developed the new concept of creating more inclusive business organisations, thus creating more inclusive societies. She said they like to join with the corporate leaders to visit their organisations to have awareness on subtle diversities of the human workforce.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dushan Jayawickrama, an expert in marketing, said one could think the programme is a conventional training for the corporate sector but it is not.
“We are unique and if you invite us to your organisation, we will first try to understand the organisational culture, as any organisation has its own culture. For any programme to be successful, the top management has to commit and actively engage,” he said.
Dr. Jayawickrama further said that though conducting the programmes for the universities is free of charge, a reasonable cost would involve for the companies that seek their services.
Thisuri Jayathilake said these special services could be obtained by contacting Catalyst Sri Lanka through info@catalystsrilanka.