This post is also available in: Danish
Diversity and inclusion is a well-debated topic. It’s a topic that polarizes and often divides us, even though it should bring us together. It’s something that brings out a lot of emotions in us, to the point where for many it has become something to consciously avoid, while for others inclusion has become an obsessive mission – instead of talking, we shout, or we don’t say anything at all.
It can be difficult to act on something so delicate, which is why it often ends in vague and diffuse conversations. Startup Aarhus has launched a database that makes the diversity of the startup ecosystem visible and provides some concrete numbers.
‘At Startup Aarhus, we have collected all the diversity data we could get our hands on. We think it’s important to use the data we have to talk about diversity, but perhaps just as important to highlight the areas where we lack data. It was clear during Startup Aarhus’ Diversity Week that our community lacks data – and access to data so we can move from talking about diversity (and discussing the extent of the challenge) to taking action and making our community more inclusive. My wish for the database is that it becomes an open tool for everyone in our community to explore, fill in gaps and create meaningful and concrete conversations about diversity,” says Line Beck from Startup Aarhus.
Read also: We must dare to include more nuances when talking about diversity and inclusion – TechSavvy
The ecosystem in Aarhus is booming, but to maximize its potential, we need to look into the challenge of diversity and inclusion. We need to talk about both the limitations that come with the lack of inclusion, but also the lost opportunities and perspectives that increased diversity can bring.
The most important thing is that we stay sane and don’t let our emotions run away with us. It benefits neither those you want to include nor those who want to be included.
You can find the database here: Diversity Database