FOR GREATER DIVERSITY
From drag queens to disabled people and LGBT activists: The Swiss Diversity Award brings together people from the most diverse backgrounds. Initiator Michel Rudin explains why this award ceremony is absolutely necessary today.
In Switzerland, a large number of individuals, organizations and companies have been working for years to promote and support diversity and inclusion. The Swiss Diversity Award Night has set itself the goal of making these topics public. “The recognition and promotion of equal opportunities for people of different ethnicities, genders, skin colors, disabilities or religions is our motivation,” says Michel Rudin, founder of the Swiss Diversity association, which is under the patronage of Pink Cross. And so Swiss Diversity is not just about a specific group. “We fight for the rights of gays and lesbians, we are committed to disabled people, to equality between women and men – and much more,” said Rudin.
For Michel Rudin there is no question that an event like the Swiss Diversity Award is still needed today. “We are nowhere near ready to talk about there being equal rights in society.” Unfortunately, misogyny, racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination are still widespread. “With our event, we want to set an example and bring Switzerland one step forward.”
Successful premiere
Although the event is still young, it has already had considerable success: At the premiere in fall 2018, over 350 guests flocked to the Kursaal in Berne to celebrate the winners of the Swiss Diversity Award. Awards were given to people who have excelled in various categories and projects in their professional or private environment. “The Diversity Award is intended to honor this work and to give the nominees and winners recognition for their continuous commitment to diversity,” explains Michel Rudin. Swiss Diversity is thus much more than just an ordinary gala evening: “At Swiss Diversity, drag queens meet disabled people, people in evening wear meet LGBT activists. The event brings together the beauty of the individual people and at the same time has a meaning."
Dependent on support
To ensure that the Swiss Diversity Award can continue to be held in the future, the organizers are dependent on support. “JTI’s commitment is exemplary in this respect,” says Michel Rudin. “The company was open and enthusiastic about the event from the very beginning. Rudin's aim is to ensure that the Swiss Diversity Award establishes itself in the long term. “The event should become a fixed date in the Swiss event calendar. We are well on the way to achieving this goal.”
Swiss Diversity
The Swiss Diversity Award is an association under the auspices of Pink Cross. Its aim is to promote diversity and inclusion in all its forms. Swiss Diversity has created an annual event to honor people and organizations that are committed to diversity. The first Swiss Diversity Award Night took place on 29 September 2018 in Berne – with the aim of bringing various people from politics, business and entertainment into contact with the award winners.