Discrimination in the Workplace? The EASWork project final seminar

- Online or on-site at Arcada (room D4109)

Join researchers from Arcada University of Applied Sciences, the Deaconess Foundation, and the University of Tartu on Wednesday, February 26th 2025 for a hybrid seminar and presentation of the results of the EASWork project. This will be an efficient and action-packed two-hour event.

Welcome to the EASWork final seminar, where we will explore how workplace discrimination can be prevented by offering practical tools to create fair and inclusive work environments. The event will feature expert commentary, industry insights, and a panel discussion where participants can engage with researchers and guest speakers.

Date: February 26, 2025
Time: 13:00–15:20 (EET)
Location: Hybrid event - online or on-site in room D4109 at Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Jan-Magnus Janssonin aukio 1, 00560 Helsinki.
Language: The seminar will be held in English

Registration for the event. (the participation link will be received closer to the event)

Programme

13:00–13:05 – Welcome and introduction 
13:05–13:30 – Presentation EASWork  
Breaking Barriers – Inclusive Employment Practices for Refugees and Migrants in Finland and Estonia. Research Results & Recommendations.
13:30–13:45 – Expert commentary Julio Orduña-Sanchez, CEO/Founder of Nite Labs Ltd
13:45–14:00 – From Research to Practice: EASWork’s Collaboration with Companies
14:00–14:20 – Perspectives from Finland and Estonia: Emma Huhtiniemi, Talent Operations Lead at Wunder (FIN) and Mare Heinluht, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Bolt (EST)
14.20-14.30 – Break
14.30-15.00 – Q&A panel discussion: Insights and reflections on today’s topics
Emma Huhtiniemi, Talent Operations Lead at Wunder 
Mare Heinluht, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Bolt (EST)
Sofia Gylfe, researcher EASWork
Olena Denysenko, researcher EASWork
Moderator: Suvi Autiosaari, EASWork coordinator, Vamos Vantaa, Deaconess foundation Finland 
15.00-15.15 – Closing Remarks by Sandra Slotte, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalisation at Arcada University of Applied Sciences
15.15-15.20 – Wrap-up and Thank You's

Background

In a global environment where major corporations are rolling back diversity initiatives and some political movements have made attacking DEI a cornerstone issue of their platforms, organizations in Estonia and Finland appear to be on a different track. They are beginning to understand the value in having a diverse workforce and policies that support the acquisition and retention of foreign employees.  The EASWork project has worked with companies to support them in their equality and inclusion efforts. 

Societal impact

In an increasingly interconnected world, businesses have the power to drive positive change by embracing diversity and inclusion. Yet, for many migrants in Estonia and Finland, the path to meaningful employment is fraught with challenges and discrimination.

Learn how you can leverage the results of our project to use within your own organisation!

At this hybrid-event, the EASWork team will share the results from the two phases of our project: interviewing migrants and refugees and working with companies to create more inclusive working environments. The event will feature expert commentary and feedback from local industry leaders and a Panel Q&A where you will have the opportunity to interact with the researchers and guest speakers.

For more information about the EASWork project or to read our report based on the interviews we conducted, please visit our webspace: Homepage and the Report .

EASWork is an Interreg / Central Baltic project. The project partners are: Arcada University of Applied Sciences (FIN) (Lead), Vamos Diakonissalaitos (FIN) and the University of Tartu (EST).