The 21st March marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which prompted BNP Paribas to book Dr Mandela for a virtual fireside chat.
Chief Engagement Officer and member of the Executive Committee of BNP Paribas Group, Antoine Sire introduced the event, before Anne-Marie Verstraeten (Vice Chairwoman of BNP Paribas UK) lead the conversation.
On March 21st 1960, police opened fire at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws. In total, 69 people were killed, and 180 were injured. Since this incident, the UN voted a series of resolutions aimed at eliminating all forms of racial discrimination and led to this day being annually observed.
For many years, the BNP Paribas has been committed to promoting the fundamental principles of caring, fairness and inclusion among its employees through clear positions and concrete actions.
The bank’s employee networks play a key role in this fight against racism and exclusion. For example, the creation in 2021 of the global CulturAll network reflects the strong commitment of both employees and the Group to issues related to multiculturalism.
CulturAll is a federation of local diversity networks and aims to create an equitable and inclusive environment, where all ethnoculturally diverse employees can be themselves, thrive and excel.
