Diversity is one of the forces that makes business more human and connected. For ETL GLOBAL, diversity is an essential part of everyday work across more than 60 countries, where member firms contribute local insight and practical experience to support clients with international needs. The month of May offers a useful frame to reflect on this important topic, with several initiatives highlighting diversity and inclusion at global, European and national level.
In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21 May as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, following UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. The day recognises diversity as a source of innovation and mutual understanding.
At European level, European Diversity Month takes place every May to raise awareness of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and across society. Led by the European Commission, the 2026 edition focuses on building an inclusive labour market for all, with particular attention to representation, visibility and participation in professional life. Today, the message takes on a specific focus in Germany through the German Diversity Day, as promoted by Charta der Vielfalt e. V.
As part of the ETL Group campaign in Germany, an adapted logo is being used throughout the diversity month of May to give visibility to this important topic. The campaign also invites participants to reflect on diversity through the letters E–T–L, with each firm choosing the words that best connect the topic to its own work. For ETL GLOBAL, these words are Excellence, Teamwork and Leadership, each opening a conversation around diversity and its impact in an international professional services network:
- E stands for Excellence: high standards in professional services depend on advice that reflects the realities clients face. For ETL GLOBAL, diversity supports excellence by bringing broader perspective into the way challenges are assessed and solutions are delivered.
- T stands for Teamwork: teamwork across ETL GLOBAL often means colleagues and member firms from different countries and cultures working together on shared matters. This cooperation becomes stronger when different professional experiences are combined in a practical and focused way.
- L stands for Leadership: leadership gives direction to diverse cooperation. It means recognising the value of different contributions and helping shared knowledge lead to stronger relationships and better decisions.
Ultimately, diversity is sustained through the way people work with one another: sharing knowledge on equal terms and building trust through genuine exchange. For ETL GLOBAL, the initiatives marked in May are a moment to recognise what diversity brings to international work, and to keep celebrating and supporting the people across the network who make it possible every day.
Explore the initiatives highlighted in this article:
UNESCO / UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
Charta der Vielfalt’s German Diversity Day 2026 / Deutscher Diversity-Tag
