Fortunately, Comms Room has been graced with the opportunity to interview her about sustainability communications.
How would you define sustainability in the context of social equity, economic viability, and environmental concerns?
Sustainability is a multidimensional concept that balances all these concerns – social, economic and environmental. Social equity is about ensuring individuals have equal access to resources and opportunities, promoting fairness and inclusivity regardless of background, identity, or circumstances. It aims to eliminate disparities that may arise from factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, or age, so that we promote fairness, justice, and inclusivity in communities. Importantly, achieving social equity involves addressing systemic barriers and implementing policies and practices that foster equal opportunities and outcomes for all individuals.
Where we focus on economic viability, we are looking at how to ensure an organisation’s long-term financial stability and growth – without exploiting people or the planet. And of course, the environmental concern aspect is where we focus on preserving natural resources and reducing an organisation’s environmental footprint.
Recognising the importance of social equity as part of our dialogue on sustainability is crucial because it lays the foundation for a just and cohesive society where everyone can thrive.
How do organisations integrate these key areas into their sustainability efforts?
Organisations are increasingly taking an integrated approach that incorporates all these concerns into their sustainability frameworks. Diversity and Inclusion initiatives play a crucial role in this by fostering inclusive cultures, promoting equitable opportunities, and embracing diverse perspectives. These efforts not only drive innovation and social cohesion within organisations but also contribute positively to broader societal resilience.
For example, a sustainability report typically includes metrics and narratives on workforce diversity, inclusion initiatives, employee health and safety, training and development programs, as well as disclosures on modern slavery practices and compliance with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) reporting requirements – just to name a few key areas.
How do you ensure your communications reaches and resonate with a diverse audience?
This involves a multifaceted approach. At Diversity Council Australia, our team will tailor our messaging to address the specific needs and concerns of different audiences. We think about aspects such as using inclusive language, diverse imagery, and culturally relevant examples. We leverage multiple channels – social media, e-newsletters, traditional media – to reach various segments of our audiences effectively.
We also prioritise feedback loops by actively listening to and engaging with audiences to refine our communication strategies as we go. This helps ensure the work that we do remains relevant and impactful to our members and braider audiences.
Inclusive language, for example, is constantly evolving. At DCA, we often emphasise our commitment to continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning. In today’s dynamic landscape, communicators must navigate evolving terminology, embrace ongoing learning, and prioritise person-centred language.
The conversation we had at the Public Sector Comms Summit about why we might favour the term CARM instead of CALD is a great example. This was informed by DCA’s research which centred the voices of women who experienced cultural and racial marginalisation.
What metrics do you use to measure the success of your communications?
We use both qualitative and quantitative methods to measure the success of our communications. Quantitatively, we look at engagement rates, reach, and audience demographics. We experiment with techniques like UTM tags help monitor referral traffic to our website for key campaigns, providing insights into effective channels and how we can further optimise our work. Qualitatively, some of what we do includes sentiment analysis, brand surveys, member surveys, interviews, and focus groups. These can offer deeper insights into stakeholder perceptions and preferences. This comprehensive approach enables us to gauge communication effectiveness and continuously improve our approach.
Can you provide examples of how D&I initiatives have played a key part in organisational sustainability efforts?
D&I initiatives are always central to an organisation’s sustainability efforts. Part of conducting business responsibly involves many diversity and inclusion related initiatives. This can include aspects such as gender equality initiatives, an organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan, ethical supply chain, flexible working, having D&I policies and frameworks in place, and a focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of employees.
What are some ways that communicators can help promote D&I or people initiatives within a sustainability framework?
Communicators play a key role in integrating narratives, especially when it comes to promoting D&I within a sustainability framework. As communicators we often help break down silos by crafting messages that align key initiatives with broader goals. Storytelling is key here. By telling compelling stories and sharing case studies of impact, we can engage stakeholders and demonstrate the tangible benefits of these efforts.
Communicators can also highlight the strategic value of how inclusive practices enhance innovation, employee engagement, and community relations.
Internal communication is also really important to engaging leadership and employees in fostering a culture of inclusion and sustainability from within, ensuring that everyone is aligned with and committed to these goals.
Jenny’s insights not only underscore the importance of these crucial initiatives but also illustrate the profound impact they can have on both organisations and society. As we move forward, the lessons learned from this conference will undoubtedly help us build more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.
Read also: Enhancing Global Sustainability Reporting: A Milestone Collaboration Between GRI and IFRS Foundation
Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.
