Definitions of Terms: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity

Diversity
Diversity comes from Latin and means variety and multiplicity. As an organizational concept, diversity aims to value difference - on the one hand, the different people who work together in an institution, and on the other hand, the different characteristics of a person. This leads to a respectful interaction with one another.

Inclusion
Inclusion means "enclosing" different people or groups in society, in the educational system, or in the institution. The concept, which originates from social and organizational psychology research, focuses on the participation and recognition of all employees of an organization, regardless of their position and function. For employers, it means that the people in the institution are treated in their uniqueness according to their competencies, are included and promoted. This also involves critically examining existing power relations and privileges and renegotiating them.

Diversity and inclusion are to be understood as complementary to each other: Successful inclusion of people in a company requires knowledge of the social and structural hurdles created by diversity.

Diversity is a fact, inclusion is a choice.
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

The difference between exclusion, integration and inclusion is explained in the following graphic:

Exklusion Integration Inclusion


Equity
In comparison to equality, which means the equal distribution of resources, equity describes the distribution of certain resources to those who need them in order to access the same opportunities.

Equality VS Equity
"Equality VS Equity": Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire.


Sources Diversity:
Kirchhofer, E.: Diverse Portfolia – Wissenswertes zu Diversität, Diversity und Vielfalt in der Schweiz, 2020.
Müller, C., Sander G.: Innovativ führen mit Diversity-Kompetenz, 2011.
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Diversitaet [21.7.21]
https://www.aktion-zivilcourage.de/news/2020-07/diskriminierung-hier-doch-nicht [21.7.21]

Sources Inclusion:
Zeitschrift für Diversitätsforschung und –management. 2/20, Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH, Leverkusen-Opladen.
https://www.inclusion-handicap.ch/de/ueber-uns/ueber-uns_0/inklusion-36.html [1.7.21]
https://www.edi.admin.ch/edi/de/home/fachstellen/ebgb/themen-der-gleichstellung/arbeit/berufliche-inklusion-.html [21.7.21]
https://behinderung.org/inklusion.htm [10.08.21]
https://www.szh.ch/themen/schule-und-integration/schulische-integration/antwort-2 [12.8.21]
Shore, Lynn & Randel, Amy & Chung, Beth & Dean, Michelle & Ehrhart, Karen & Singh, Gangaram. (2011). Inclusion and Diversity in Work Groups: A Review and Model for Future Research. Journal of Management. 37. 10.1177/0149206310385943.
Image: "Exklusion Integration Inklusion": Inklusion Verein. (2021). Mitten drin! Inklusion. https://inklusion-verein.de/der-verein/inklusion/. 

Sources Equity:
https://www.ekr.admin.ch/d584.html [1.7.21]
https://social-change.co.uk/blog/2019-03-29-equality-and-equity [1.7.21]
Image "Equality VS Equity": Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire.