There is no single definition for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, when actually they are each different elements of the whole. It’s best practice to take an expansive approach when thinking about DEI. Other terms that many consider as relevant include belonging (sometimes the acronym DEIB is used, which stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) and social justice.
At CTPA, we’ve chosen the below general descriptions of D, E and I to help us differentiate between the various terms.
Diversity: This focuses on the representation of various demographic groups, different backgrounds and different ways of thinking (e.g. race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background) within an organisation or community. Diversity is all about valuing difference and understanding that there is strength in the coming together of people with myriad lived experiences, backgrounds and identities. Diversity is vital for businesses to thrive and there is a wealth of research that shows that those organisations who are more diverse see significant business benefits compared with those who do not adopt diversity as a priority.
Equity: This is about addressing systemic disparities and striving for fairness and justice, particularly by understanding and removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for individuals regardless of their background. Within the field of DEI this term is used more frequently nowadays instead of equality because whilst it describes the importance of people having equal access to opportunities, it goes beyond this to acknowledge that not everyone has the same starting point in life so providing access to opportunities needs to take into account these important differences.
Inclusion: This goes beyond simply having diverse representation in organisations, and focuses on creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.
Belonging: This goes further than inclusion to mean that everyone feels like a full member of the larger community, and can thrive. Belonging describes employees' perceptions of how they fit in with their team, how comfortable they are expressing their ideas, and whether or not they can fully participate in the work environment.
