A number of Medibank employees came together last week to celebrate Eid al-Fitr (or Eid), which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Medibank’s Diversity & Inclusion Culture Working Group hosted a festive Eid lunch, catered by the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, to celebrate and raise awareness of cultural diversity both in the workplace and the community. We were fortunate to be joined by guest speaker Helen Kapalos, Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, who shared some of her insights into multiculturalism, diversity & inclusion.
Asked how we can better embrace diversity, Helen responded that “.…the easiest way to diffuse what we don’t know or understand about another culture is to experience that culture up close. The most compelling way to understand someone from another cultural background is to meet them”.
“This was the first time that I’d celebrated Eid in my workplace and it was an incredibly special experience”, commented one attendee. “It is wonderful to hear co-workers’ family stories and traditions.”
Watch this space for more cultural initiatives at Medibank, and don’t forget to check out the full transcript of our Q&A session with Helen Kapalos below.
Click here to go to interview with Helen Kapalos.
