EDI is everyone's responsibility

Taazima Kala - Chair for the CIPR International Committee in 2025 - and Samantha Seewoosurrun – former CIPR International Committee Chair - take a deep dive into what it means to be an EDI Champion.* They explore how a continuing commitment to EDI reinforces the role of CIPR as an inclusive organisation, welcoming a diverse range of professionals from across the globe.

Equity, equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging have quickly become buzzwords for many; and yet they are veritable concepts we need to inculcate into all that we do.

Communications professionals in particular have a strong role to play in working together to change the status quo, ensuring everyone feels involved, included, welcome and with equal opportunity and ownership.

These are not just values but essential pillars of a thriving society, and organisations like the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) are at the forefront of embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into our mission, something we seek to drive with great impetus at the CIPR International Committee. CIPR’s EDI agenda reflects a commitment to creating a space where professionals from all backgrounds can belong, thrive, and make impactful contributions. So deliberate are our efforts as the CIPR, that we were the first professional body to achieve the National Equality Standard (NES) (2023), the UK’s leading diversity assessment framework.

The intention is to ensure tangible progress in working to ensure the CIPR is leading practice development, championing lifelong learning, building a resilient community and advocating for public relations.

Today, CIPR is seeking to further develop its commitment to EDI through a number of fora:

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee: This is a standing committee established by CIPR HQ, which sets the broad policy strategy and framework on EDI. Its activities to date have included reviewing progress towards achieving the National Equality Standard criteria and proposing new policy initiatives.
EDI Champions meetings: These meetings hosted by CIPR HQ, held several times per year, provide a forum for knowledge sharing among the appointed EDI Champions at the volunteer level. CIPR has recommended that each committee should appoint one EDI Champion at its AGM, although for 2025 the International Committee has blazed a trail by appointing two Champions from different parts of the world!
Diversity & Inclusion Network: This is the volunteer group, established over 15 years ago, which has been hosting regular events and producing insightful resources to build awareness and understanding of EDI.

What does it mean to become an EDI Champion?

What exactly does it mean to champion EDI and to be an EDI Champion as part of this important movement? EDI is not just an abstract goal; it is a continuous journey, requiring dedicated effort to maintain momentum and ensure an inclusive space for all. This is where the role of EDI Champions comes in, and why we all have a responsibility to support their efforts.

Our commitment to EDI is rooted in the belief that a more inclusive environment fosters better ideas, representation, and results for everyone. EDI encompasses three core principles, and they are all equally core to driving the cause:

Equity: Fair treatment and equal opportunities for all members.
Diversity: Representation across a spectrum of differences, including race, gender, age, religion, neurodiversity, and disability.
Inclusion: Ensuring diverse voices are not only present but empowered and respected.

The Role of an EDI Champion

The EDI Champion role supports CIPR’s EDI strategy and helps amplify these efforts within committees and member groups. EDI Champions serve as ambassadors, aiding committees in understanding and embedding EDI principles in every aspect of their work. This includes:

Implementing CIPR’s EDI Strategy: At the group level, EDI Champions ensure initiatives and activities align with CIPR’s broader EDI strategy. Collaborating with other champions ensures consistency and reinforces a shared mission.
Conducting a SWOT Analysis: New EDI Champions are encouraged to perform a SWOT analysis, assessing their committee's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in EDI. CIPR provides templates and guidance to set clear goals and spark valuable discussions within groups.
Monitoring Committee Diversity: Champions track diversity metrics related to membership, speaker representation, and committee activities. EDI dashboards from CIPR HQ offer valuable insights to monitor progress and address areas for improvement.
Building Partnerships and Events: Champions are encouraged to form partnerships with external organisations, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to CIPR. They also organise at least one annual EDI initiative — whether an event, blog post, or social media campaign - to advance the CIPR’s EDI objectives.
Continuous Learning and Sharing Best Practices: While Champions may not be EDI experts, they help foster a culture of learning. CIPR offers resources like skills guides, a resource hub, and new guides on inclusive language and event planning, providing champions with tools to cultivate an inclusive CIPR community.

Putting concept to practice: Tips for new EDI Champions

You’ve been appointed as an EDI Champion and want to hit the ground running in 2025? How will you get started?

Having taken an active role in discussions on EDI since it became part of the CIPR agenda, and engaging with EDI Champions through both the EDIC and Champions fora, we found a number of avenues worth exploring. From our perspective, you can make an immediate impact as follows:

Dive into the SWOT Analysis: Ask your Chair if the committee already prepared a SWOT analysis on EDI. If so, you could put it on your committee agenda for a review and update (bearing in mind that the committee membership may have changed in the meantime). If your committee is still on the starting block with no SWOT performed, you can use CIPR’s template to assess where your committee currently stands on EDI. Identifying strengths and areas for growth will serve as a foundation for planning EDI activities.
Put EDI on the committee agenda: Start as you mean to go on. Simple but true. The International Committee has ‘EDI update’ as a standing item on the committee agenda, which means that the EDI Champion will have a regular opportunity to report back on EDI Champions meetings, share ideas and encourage feedback and involvement from committee colleagues.
Bring experts on board to foster discussion. The EDI agenda is new to most of us at CIPR, and most EDI champions are still in learning mode. Look around for experts in the realm of your committee members, who could come from local universities or who could be clients seeking to develop or implement their own policies. They could join a committee meeting or webinar as a speaker or write a blog with their perspectives. The most important element is to foster discussion and debate which will lead us all in the right direction.
Organise EDI-Friendly Activities: From workshops to networking events, seek opportunities to engage members in EDI topics. Be mindful of attendees' diverse needs, including sensory breaks for neurodiverse individuals and creating accessible materials.
Build a Support Network: Connect with fellow EDI Champions via WhatsApp and virtual meetings. This network is invaluable for sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, and gaining insights that help overcome challenges and maintain a cohesive approach.

Encouraging EDI on a Global Scale

CIPR’s EDI initiatives extend beyond the UK, embracing global perspectives. By appointing EDI Champions from different regions, CIPR ensures that its approach resonates across cultural contexts. This global representation brings a wealth of perspectives to CIPR, promoting inclusive thinking that respects cultural diversity and builds a more interconnected professional community.

What is key to remember is that while EDI Champions play an essential role, creating an inclusive environment is a collective responsibility. Everyone within CIPR can contribute by supporting EDI initiatives, advocating for diverse voices, and staying informed about best practices. In doing so, CIPR continues to lead the public relations profession in building a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive industry.

By committing to sustainable, meaningful progress in EDI, we can all demonstrate – as a collective - a forward-thinking approach that values diversity and recognises that inclusivity benefits all. After all, effective communication is about understanding, connection, and trust. Without equity, diversity, and inclusion, we may be missing perspectives, and when we miss perspectives, we miss the chance to build genuine, lasting relationships with those we are trying to reach.

Whether you’re an EDI Champion or simply passionate about this cause, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference. Together, we can build a community where every voice is heard and respected, driving progress that reflects the values we all hold dear.

Let’s champion EDI in every step of our professional journey, ensuring that CIPR remains a place where every member feels valued and empowered to thrive, and PR professionals then truly help shape better societies.

*Taazima was the CIPR International Committee’s 2024 EDI Champion. She is now also the 2025 Group Chair Representative for EDIC and the EDI Champions Group Chair Representative. Samantha is a former Group Chair Representative for EDIC and the EDI Champions Group Chair Representative and is today a CIPR Council representative with a 2-year term.