Belonging at Work: From Data to Dialogue

A National Diversity Week event by SER Diversiteit in Bedrijf, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands, and B Lab Benelux, in collaboration with Stichting Rooted and hosted by location partner FENIX.

How do we build organisations where people feel seen, heard and truly part of the organisation?

On 7 October 2026, during National Diversity Week, SER Diversiteit in Bedrijf, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands and B Lab Benelux invite you to Belonging at Work: From Data to Dialogue.

Organised in collaboration with Stichting Rooted and hosted by location partner FENIX in Rotterdam, this afternoon brings together DEI, HR and sustainability professionals, leaders and changemakers to explore how organisations can move from measurement to meaningful inclusion.

The event connects data with dialogue, policy with practice and organisational change with lived experience. Together, we will explore what it takes to build organisations where belonging is not only an ambition, but something people can actually feel.

About the event

The Netherlands has become irreversibly diverse. At the same time, many organisations are still learning how to make inclusion not only visible in data, strategy and policy, but also tangible in culture, leadership and everyday working life.

During the afternoon, we will explore how organisations can strengthen Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in ways that are strategic, measurable and human. The programme brings together research, organisational perspectives, practical examples and personal stories to show how belonging can be embedded in strategy, culture, leadership and everyday practice.

The programme includes a keynote by Maurice Crul and Frans Lelie, who will help frame the wider story behind this event: what does it mean to build inclusive organisations in a society that has become irreversibly diverse?

Alongside contributions from SER Diversiteit in Bedrijf, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands and B Lab Benelux, Stichting Rooted will bring in the human side of DEI work through personal stories about identity, migration, belonging and leadership.

Why join

This event is designed for professionals and leaders who want to move beyond good intentions and strengthen JEDI/DEI in a way that is strategic, measurable and human.

You will leave with:

• A clearer understanding of why belonging matters for organisations today.
• Insights into how data, monitoring and measurement can support stronger DEI strategies.
• Perspectives on how responsible business, human rights and sustainable value creation connect to JEDI/DEI.
• Practical inspiration from organisations and networks working to embed inclusion in strategy, culture and leadership.
• A deeper understanding of the role of lived experience and storytelling in building cultures of belonging.
• New connections across the broader JEDI/DEI ecosystem.

Who should attend

This event is relevant for:

• DEI, D&I and JEDI professionals.
• HR and People & Culture leaders.
• Sustainability and impact professionals.
• Business leaders and entrepreneurs.
• B Keepers and B Corp community members.
• JEDI Circle members.
• UN Global Compact Network Netherlands members.
• Charter Diversiteit signatories.
• Anyone working to build more just, inclusive and future-fit organisations.

Programme

13:30 - 14:00 Doors open and registration
14:00 - 14:05 Spoken word Rooted speaker Carla Boulos
14:05 - 14:15 Welcome and introduction
14:15 - 14:20 Introduction by FENIX
14:20 - 14:40 Keynote by Maurice Crul and Frans Lelie, followed by Q&A
14:40 - 14:55 The human side of DEI work: stories of belonging from Rooted speaker Philisiwe Twijnstra
14:55 - 15:10 Short coffee break, including DIB icebreaker cards
15:10 - 15:30 Three short presentations on: 
- The importance of DEI: the business case, by  UN Global Compact - Jamie Holton
- Understanding the gaps: measuring DEI, by SER diversiteit in bedrijf - Sanne Pisters
- Setting the bar for DEI: the JEDI standards, by B Lab Benelux - Danja Overgaag
15:30 - 16:15 Panel conversation with representatives from the partner networks: a DiB Charter subscriber, a UN Global Compact Network Netherlands member and a B Corp. 
16:15 - 16:30 The human side of DEI work: stories of belonging from Rooted speaker Eldin Fajkovic
16:30 - 16:40 Closing
16:40 - 18:00 Networking drinks

Practical information

Date: 7 October 2026
Time: 13:30 - 18:15
Location: FENIX, Rotterdam
Address: Paul Nijghkade 5, 3072 AT Rotterdam
Language: English
Hosts: SER Diversiteit in Bedrijf, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands and B Lab Benelux
In collaboration with: Stichting Rooted
Location partner: FENIX

Registration

Places are free but limited. Register to join Belonging at Work: From Data to Dialogue on 7 October 2026. If you have a colleague working on DEI, HR, sustainability, culture, leadership, or organisational change, please feel free to share this event with them.