UNESCO World Day of Cultural Diversity:

8,800 people from 74 cultures – that is Telefónica Deutschland

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Today 21 May is UNESCO's World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Telefónica Deutschland is not only committed to diversity and gender equality, but also has employees from 74 different cultures in Germany alone. From A for Afghanistan to U for United States: The Telefónica Deutschland team consists of 74 different cultures. Numerous colleagues have their roots in Spain, the USA, Croatia, Turkey, Italy and Greece. But there are also more distant countries like Australia or Mauritius.

Diversity is an enrichment

“People with different cultural backgrounds bring different perspectives, experiences and approaches to the team. This has great potential, but is not a self-runner. A team must also deal with its diversity, listen to each other and learn from each other. Only then new approaches and better results can be achieved,” says Nicole Gerhardt, Board Member for Human Resources at Telefónica Deutschland. “For us, our great diversity with colleagues from 74 cultures is a real enrichment. It also helps us to adapt to our customers in the best possible way – because they are as diverse as we are.” The promotion of diversity within the workforce is an integral part of Telefónica Germany's corporate and human resources strategy. We are committed to fairness and respect as well as equal treatment regardless of country of origin, color, gender, age, disability, religion or sexual orientation. For many years we have supported these principles as signatories of the “Charter of Diversity”.

Origin of the World Day of Cultural Diversity

According to UNESCO, in November 2001 the United Nations General Assembly for the first time proclaimed 21 May as "World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development". The World Day aims to raise public awareness of cultural diversity and make the values of cultural diversity more understandable. According to UNSECO, this contributes to the enhancement of human development for the benefit of present and future generations.