Ethics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

doi:10.1515/ci-2022-0102

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Ethics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Published/Copyright: January 25, 2022

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From the journal Chemistry International Volume 44 Issue 1

Abstract

Some National Adhering Organizations or other organizations affiliated with IUPAC have in place committees or reference groups that address issues of ethics or diversity and inclusion. There are numerous womens’ chemistry groups worldwide, many linked to the IUPAC Global Womens Breakfast series, and emerging chemists’ groups, including the International Younger Chemists Network (IYCN). Specialist groupings include those for chemists of color, for less-able bodied chemists, or from LGBTQ communities. Each of these groupings requires our recognition, respect, and support. IUPAC is in the unique and privileged position to deliver global leadership on their behalf. There are still chemistry communities globally where the principles of equity are less well recognized, and IUPAC can provide support through networking and informal education or advice.

In August 2021, the 51st Council of IUPAC approved the formation of a Standing Committee on Ethics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (CEDEI). Plans for this newly established Standing Committee include providing guidelines for diversity and inclusiveness at IUPAC conferences, for editorial board memberships, task group memberships, and on selection panels (e.g. IUPAC awards). The role of CEDEI is outlined in the committee’s terms of reference (see below).

IUPAC has a global base of members who are guided by the set of core values and behaviours identified in its strategic plan. Where an incident or behaviour inconsistent with these values is alleged, initial investigation should occur at the same level and with the people implicated involved, and only those incidents/behaviours unable to be resolved should be forarded, and in complete confidence, to CEDEI.

The current terms of reference for CEDEI are:

To provide independent advice to the President, Executive Committee, Executive Director, other Standing Committees, Divisions, and Commissions on matters relating to ethics, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the policies, business, and activities of the Union, or when undertaken by volunteers on behalf of the Union.
To make recommendations to the President and the Executive Committee, where appropriate, on matters relating to ethics, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the policies, business, and activities of the Union, or when undertaken by volunteers when engaged in business or activity on behalf of the Union.
To develop in-house policies on ethics, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness that are in accord with the IUPAC strategic plan, which are widely publicized on the IUPAC website(s), and which act as a reference point for the behaviour of IUPAC members, volunteers, and staff when engaged in activities or business on behalf of the Union.
To provide confidential advice or act as a confidential point of contact for IUPAC members, staff, and volunteers when engaged in business or activity on behalf of the Union, where an incident inconsistent with the Mission and Core Values of IUPAC may have occurred.
To establish, subject to approval by the President and Executive Committee, Advisory Boards, Subcommittees, and Working Groups as needed to carry out specific functions of the committee.

Mary Garson (Australia) is the inaugural Chair of CEDEI; additional members include Supawan Tantayanon (Thailand) Secretary, Mark Cesa (USA), Peter Mahaffy (Canada), and Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot (Jamaica).

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Online erschienen: 2022-01-25

Erschienen im Druck: 2022-01-01

©2022 IUPAC & De Gruyter. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. For more information, please visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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https://doi.org/10.1515/ci-2022-0102