- Novartis in Slovenia raises awareness about the visible and invisible potentials of persons with disabilities on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
- Novartis globally joined the Positively Purple campaign to raise awareness about various forms of disabilities and promote equality, fairness, and inclusion.
- The company marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a round table and workshops for employees, and highlighted the contribution of employees with disabilities by illuminating the business building in Ljubljana in purple.
Ljubljana, December 3, 2024 – On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Novartis in Slovenia is emphasizing the importance of including persons with disabilities and raising awareness about their often invisible potential in the workplace through various activities. On this occasion, the business building in Ljubljana was symbolically illuminated in purple, the color of the "Positively Purple" campaign, which expresses alliance and support for persons with disabilities, as well as all employee interest groups that raise awareness about the inclusion of persons with disabilities and highlight their challenges.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated on December 3, aims to promote a better understanding of disability-related issues, educate about the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities, and highlight their inclusion in society. This year's theme is "Empowering Persons with Disabilities for Inclusive and Sustainable Development," recognizing the significant role of persons with disabilities in creating a better world for all and emphasizing the importance of their participation in decision-making processes. Approximately 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability, around 80% of which are invisible. Despite facing various forms of discrimination and difficulties in integrating into society due to their limitations, their contribution to society is invaluable.
Experience leads to more inclusive behavior
Novartis in Slovenia is aware of this and strives daily to create a fair and inclusive environment, of which persons with disabilities are an important part. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, they organized a workshop and a round table to bring employees closer to life with disabilities. The "Experience Changes" workshop, conducted by members of the Association of Students with Disabilities of Slovenia, familiarized employees with the daily challenges of persons with disabilities. At the round table, external guests shared insights into the lives and work of persons with disabilities, including ADHD, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and autism. Representatives from the restaurant Druga violina, which employs persons with various forms of disabilities, provided refreshments for the occasion. Through diverse activities, Novartis aimed to remind employees of the potentials of persons with disabilities and encourage dialogue about contributing to a more accessible and inclusive society.
Purple illumination of potentials
On this year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Novartis globally partnered with Purple Space and joined their Positively Purple campaign, which raises awareness about various forms of disabilities and promotes equality, fairness, and inclusion. On this occasion, five Novartis locations worldwide (Basel, Hannover, Hyderabad, Shanghai, and Ljubljana) were illuminated in purple. Novartis in Slovenia illuminated its central business building in Ljubljana in purple, sending a message about the importance of including persons with disabilities, who, despite their numbers, still face discrimination and social exclusion both in society and in the workplace.
A culture that promotes diversity, equality, and inclusion of all employees
Novartis believes that diversity and inclusion are crucial for building a strong and successful organization. An employee interest group, supported by company leadership, raises awareness about the importance of including persons with disabilities through events, manuals, and guidelines. "At Novartis, we are committed to creating an inclusive, fair, and diverse work environment. With the employee interest group, we encourage changes reflected in the appropriate design of the work environment or workplaces and the strengthening of the culture of inclusion. Persons with disabilities bring unique potentials to our work environment, and our goal is to continuously question how we can contribute to equal inclusion and ensure that our employees feel accepted, regardless of any personal circumstances or limitations," said Tamara Barič, head of the employee interest group for the inclusion of persons with disabilities at Novartis in Slovenia.