Dignity and Inclusion

Dignity and Inclusion Learning Initiative

Developed by the Vienna-based UN Organizations: CTBTO, IAEA, UNIDO, and UNOV/UNODC

This learning initiative intends to further promote putting UN values into action through a set of interactive e-learning modules and face-to-face trainings for the personnel of the Vienna-based UN entities. The goal of the initiative is to support a more inclusive, respectful, and enabling workplace by bringing biases and blind spots to light and by sharing best practices, strategies, and lessons learned to help reduce ignorance, stigma, and discrimination. Below you can find detailed descriptions of the different modules and links to registration and module resources, as soon as they are available.

Want us to offer additional sessions or new topics within the framework of the Dignity and Inclusion Learning Initiative?
Register your interest and submit suggestions here.

Register for the current modules:

Empowering Active Bystander

Register here for Session I: Wednesday, 29 March, 14:00 – 15:30 CET
Register here for Session II: Wednesday, 5 April, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM CET

Many of us have been witnesses to situations where something did not seem right, inappropriate comments may have been made, or, worse, physical abuse may have played out right in front of us. What do you do when you witness such instances, do you speak out?

This training focuses on the bystander effect which has mainly been used on university campuses as a form of violence prevention. Now it is increasingly recognized as an effective strategy to raise awareness and to change the systemic culture of harassment, discrimination and abuse. The aim of the training module is to equip participants with the tools to be active bystanders and raise their awareness to recognize inappropriate or threatening situations, as each individual is responsible for ensuring a respectful work environment. The module will encourage participants to use these tools to speak up against injustices and become active bystanders.

Training sessions on the Empowering Active Bystanders module will be available on two dates as described below. During the session, participants will gain insight into the theoretical background as well as various tools to become active bystanders. Subsequently, participants will then use their acquired knowledge, where more in-depth conversations will be held to discuss any remaining questions and cases, to develop various intervention strategies and become more confident active bystanders.

Resources from active and completed modules:

Disclaimer:

We are thankful that the information about the Dignity & Inclusion Learning Initiative, co-created by the Vienna-based Organizations (VBO), has been placed on the VIC Medical Service's Mental Health webpage to allow it to be centrally accessed by all VBO personnel.

We would nevertheless like to emphasize that the use of the VIC Medical Service's Mental Health webpage in no way is meant to imply a pathologization of any of the topics addressed by the Dignity & Inclusion Learning Initiative. On the contrary – placing the information on this website is in line with the understanding that a working environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or any other barriers impeding one's contribution to the objectives of the United Nations, supports dignity and inclusion and helps ensure good mental health of our colleagues.

We look forward to your participation in the Dignity & Inclusion Learning Initiative as part of our joint efforts to promote inclusive and respectful workplaces for all of us working for the VBOs.

- The Dignity & Inclusion Learning Initiative developers and facilitators from CTBTO, IAEA, UNIDO and UNOV/UNODC