High-Level Plenary: Day 2
The Competitive Power of Diversity & Inclusion
10:10 - 11:40AM | 25 June 2025
Context
Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) is no longer just about corporate ethics—it is a strategic business driver, attracting top talent, fostering innovation and creativity, and improving market reach.
It is demonstrated that organisations prioritising diverse perspectives make better decisions, build stronger teams, and improve financial performance. Yet, despite clear business advantages, progress is stalling. Since early 2025, policy rollbacks in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), particularly in the United States, have raised concerns about the future of corporate commitments to inclusion.
The question is: Will Europe take the lead in ensuring D&I remains a pillar of business success?
This plenary will explore how companies can unlock the full business potential of D&I, turning inclusive policies into measurable competitive advantages. Through real-world insights, speakers will highlight how diversity fuels innovation, enhances stakeholder trust, and contributes to overall business growth.
Who should attend
CEOs/C-Suite Level Representatives
Sustainability Officers
EU Policymakers
Civil Society Organizations
Agenda
10:10 - 10:20 | Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:20 - 10:40 | Key-Note Speech: The Competitive Edge of Diversity
10:40 - 11:25 | Panel Discussion: Turning D&I into Business Growth
11:25 - 11:40 | Closing Remarks
About the High-Level Plenary
On the second morning of the Summit, this session will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to make a business case for Diversity & Inclusion, in all its dimensions from sex and racial diversity to disability.
Whilst a large body of literature and practices on the benefits of diversity in the workplace exists, there are aspects that are less researched and addressed. In particular, neurodiversity has received less attention, despite presenting a significant potential for both businesses and society in terms of creativity, innovation and problem-solving.
A key figure: neurodivergent people represent 20% of the total population, highlighting the importance of early screening and creating inclusive working places for everyone.
As the journalist Harvey Blume noted, “Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general”: it is in fact crucial to foster our diversities, instead of living in "convergent mode" and exclude different cognitive mode and skills.
This session will focus on how D&I can drive tangible business value. Attendees will gain practical insights for embedding diversity into their business models, ultimately contributing to the fully inclusion to society for all minorities.
Why Attend
Make Diversity Your Competitive Advantage – Learn how inclusive companies are outperforming the market.
Gain Executive-Level Insights – Hear first-hand from industry leaders and policymakers on best practices and key challenges.
Expand Your Network – Connect with decision-makers, corporate leaders, and civil society organisations driving meaningful change.
Move Beyond Compliance – Discover how to implement D&I in ways that drive innovation and growth.
Why this matters
Sustainability isn’t optional—it’s a business necessity.
Collaboration between companies, policymakers, and civil society is key to driving real impact.
This is the ONLY CSR Europe event open to non-members this year—don’t miss it.
A rare opportunity to engage with Europe’s sustainability decision-makers, gain exclusive insights, and help shape the future of sustainable industry in Europe.
About the Summit
The European Sustainable Industry Summit 2025 is the premier gathering for business leaders and policymakers driving the next era of sustainable and competitive markets. This is where strategy meets action, equipping companies with the insights, connections, and tools to turn sustainability into a core business advantage.
Europe’s industries stand at a critical crossroads—as global competition intensifies and regulations tighten, sustainability is no longer optional; it is a financial and strategic imperative. Companies that successfully integrate ESG, circular economy models, and diversity-driven leadership will gain a decisive market edge.
Over two days, C-suite executives, investors, EU policymakers, and industry experts will exchange knowledge, tackle challenges, and explore market-driven solutions that fuel business growth while advancing Europe’s leadership in sustainability.
This is the only open CSR Europe event of the year—a rare opportunity to engage with top sustainability leaders, gain exclusive insights, and position your company at the forefront of Europe’s sustainable transformation.