The Internal Communication Forum: from behavior to culture

The Internal Communication Forum: from behavior to culture, organized by AmCham Peru on November 4, 5, and 6, 2020, was an event that marked a milestone in internal communication forums compared to those previously organized, as it was 100% virtual. Additionally, it was the first virtual forum in which I participated as a speaker, and it was an enriching experience that allowed me to share my knowledge and experience in implementing inclusive language in work environments with a broad and diverse audience.

During my participation, I spoke about the importance of inclusive communication in work environments and how it relates to the representation that all people should feel when receiving communication, especially when an action is expected from them afterwards. I also shared my experience at Falabella Retail Peru in implementing inclusive language, emphasizing that it was not simply a matter of deciding to implement it one day and being done with it, but rather a gradual process of several years in policies and inclusion practices that led us to have an organization prepared to accept and support inclusive language.

I also mentioned the neutral strategy, which many people and organizations use, in which we refer to people and leave gender out of our dialogue, simplifying the adoption process of inclusive language, both for people and for organizations themselves. This strategy has become very popular in recent years, as it allows organizations to be more inclusive with a perception of less change, but which represents a structural and sustainable change.

In the final reflection of my participation, I talked about how language creates realities, and this phrase plays in 2 directions. On the one hand, language serves us to name things, make them visible and real. For example, talking about a cell phone in 1940 would have been something that generated confusion in people, but today we all know what it is. Similarly, language helps us make the human condition and the right that all people have to feel reflected in the language used to address each other visible.

On the other hand, through language we can create new realities, such as more inclusive societies, simply by addressing people in the way they want to be addressed. Inclusive language is a powerful tool for creating a sense of belonging in organizations and generating changes in our society, and it is the responsibility of all individuals to use it in our daily communications.

My participation in the Internal Communication Forum: from behavior to culture was an enriching experience that allowed me to share my knowledge and experience in implementing inclusive language in work environments. Inclusive communication is essential for creating a fair and inclusive work environment, and through language we can create a more just and inclusive society.