BRITISH EMBASSY SANTIAGO LEADING ON LGBTI+ INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

British Embassy Santiago is recognised among the twenty best employers in Chile for LGBTI+ talent, becoming the first diplomatic mission and public sector organisation in Chile, and the only British Embassy in the region, to receive accreditation from one of Latin America’s leading LGBTI+ civil society networks as a workplace committed to LGBTI+ inclusion. 

“Equidad CL Certification” is an accreditation granted by Chilean and regional LGBTI+ civil society recognising employers and workplaces committed to LGBTI+ inclusion. The accreditation is given each year by the Fundación Iguales (the leading organisation for LGBTI+ rights in Chile), Pride Connection Chile (a business network that promotes inclusive workplaces) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC; one of the Americas largest LGBTI+ civil rights organisations).

In 2020, a total of 63 companies and organisations participated in the certification process and were assessed in three core areas of LGBTI+ inclusion: adoption of non-discriminatory policies; the creation of employee resource groups / diversity and inclusion committees; and engagement in public activities supporting LGBT inclusion. Scoring well in each area the Embassy was recognised as one of Chile’s twenty best places to work for LGBT equality and becomes the first diplomatic mission and public sector employer in the country to receive the certification. 

The Embassy’s efforts working with the LGBTI+ community in Chile put into action the UK’s wider commitment to make equality a reality for LGBT people the world over. Attaining accreditation pulled together the Embassy’s public diplomacy, corporate policies, learning and development and local outreach into a strategic effort, working towards contributing to eradicating discrimination and setting a standard for LGBTI+ inclusion in Chile for the public and private sector alike.