Sparkes makes a splash with three events at Dive In 2019
17-September-2019
Dive In is a global movement in the insurance sector to support the development of inclusive workplace cultures. Its mission is to enable people to achieve their potential by raising awareness of the business case and promoting positive action for diversity in all its forms. This year’s theme is #InclusionImpact.
Since making its first splash in 2015, Dive In has grown exponentially, reaching global heights with events taking place in more than 60 cities across 33 countries world-wide, attracting more than 9000 people.
This year, Sparke Helmore is joining forces with QBE, Zurich and Gallagher on three separate Dive In events. The sponsorships exemplify Sparke Helmore’s ongoing commitment to progressing diversity and inclusion, and building a culture where everyone can feel safe and comfortable bringing their whole self to work. They also demonstrate our support of the diversity and inclusion agenda in the insurance industry.
The three events are:
The art of inclusion: it’s no joke!—with Zurich on 25 September in Sydney
Comedian Lawrence Leung will take to the stage in North Sydney to share how inclusion has helped shape his career as a stand-up comedian, writer and filmmaker. As the first Asian-Australian to create and front his own comedy TV series, Lawrence has experienced both “invisibility” and inclusion in show business and continues to champion embracing diverse voices.
The art of yarn: weaving connections with Aboriginal Australia—with Gallagher on 26 September in Brisbane
Slowing it down. Connecting in conversation. Sitting in the moment. This is the art of yarn – the ages-old tradition of shared conversations to learn, preserve and pass on cultural knowledge, and build respectful relationships. Gallagher, NIBA and Sparke Helmore Lawyers are proud to host a yarning circle facilitated by YARN Australia, a social enterprise built on the belief that connections through intentional, meaningful dialogue between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people are central to moving forward towards a united and respectful future. This session will be a morning of shared conversation and will consider the role of story-telling and listening in building inclusion.
Why sharing the care is key to gender balance—with QBE on 26 September in Sydney
Research suggests that becoming a caregiver to a child is one of the biggest disruptions to career growth and a systemic root cause of gender inequality. With this caregiving role historically being placed on the woman, a “motherhood penalty” is often reflected through pay gaps and at CEO and senior executive levels. With less than 5% of men in Australia electing to take primary carers’ leave, it’s clear there are barriers that can prevent men playing an active role in the early years of their family’s lives.
An insightful panel discussion led by founder and CEO of Parents at Work, Emma Walsh, will challenge the current state of play of parental leave in Australia. Bringing together a selection of contemporary perspectives around the issue, including insurance industry senior executives, working parents, and prominent voices in the gender-equality conversation, the conversation will uncover what it will take to achieve parental leave equality. Our panellists include:
- Vivek Bhatia, CEO QBE Australia and New Zealand
- Georgie Dent, journalist, editor and a passionate advocate for gender equality
- Felicity Edwards, Partner at Sparke Helmore Lawyers
- Sam Morgan, National Manager, Intermediated Property, QBE
Dive In starts next week and will run from 24 to 26 September—with events in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. You can register for events in your city through the Dive In website.
