Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)

Population Connection, whose mission is to educate young people and advocate progressive action to stabilize world population at a level that can be sustained by Earth’s resources, is committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), since they are fundamental to our work.

In order to achieve our goals, which help to advance sustainable development and human rights and to create the world we want to see, we must ensure that our work, both internal and external, reflects DEIJ values. We recognize the historical context of the early population movement, and we are committed to a human rights-based approach to population education as well as advocacy that advances reproductive health and rights.

Systems of oppression are embedded within global political, economic, and social systems, creating societies that are inherently unequal. We are committed to working actively and intentionally to identify and challenge harmful, discriminatory systems, including acknowledging that we operate within and benefit from those same systems.

Definitions

DEIJ is a framework from which to approach our work and its internal and external processes, which recognizes that systems of oppression are embedded within global political, economic, and social systems and seeks to address and uphold human rights from the understanding that society is inherently unequal. This requires a comprehensive understanding and acknowledgement of one’s own positionality as it relates to our work in both historical and contemporary contexts.

  • Diversity at Population Connection is acknowledging and valuing a mixture of similarities and differences and their respective complexities and tensions including, but not limited to, psychological, physical, and social differences such as race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, and learning styles.
  • Equity at Population Connection is vigilantly identifying where fairness, context, or access gaps exist and intentionally learning and designing what is needed to close them in order to advance opportunity and access to information and resources for all.
  • Inclusion at Population Connection is the act of fostering environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. A sense of inclusion and belonging should be felt by anyone and everyone involved with our organization at any level.
  • Justice at Population Connection is the intentional and proactive fair treatment of historically and systemically underrepresented and underserved individuals and groups by actively dismantling systems and practices of oppression and replacing them with ones that promote equity.

The following are our commitments as we seek to ensure that every person who works for or with Population Connection is valued, safe, and has equal opportunities to succeed:

  • Educate to understand and acknowledge both individual and organizational contributions to systems of oppression as they relate to our work in both historical and contemporary contexts.
  • Embody a willingness to adapt and listen in order to provide a platform for population education and advocacy rooted in a strong ethical foundation.
  • Create an inclusive workplace culture that recognizes, solicits, and values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, voices, roles, feedback, and contributions and promotes constructive questioning.
  • Establish and maintain engagement that is equitable, respectful, innovative, and authentic with Population Connection’s external partners, including volunteers, members, and allies.
  • Ensure accountability for leaders in developing diverse and inclusive teams, making decisions equitably, communicating clearly, demonstrating transparency when possible, and modeling inclusive behaviors.

Strategic Pillars

To achieve the commitment statements outlined above, both internally and externally, we will build action items organized around the following strategic pillars:

  • Culture, Belonging, and Employee Experience
  • Inclusive Leadership and Governance
  • Talent Acquisition and Onboarding
  • Stakeholder and External Engagement
  • Advocacy and Education
  • Internal Communications

Core Values

  • Effective: We hold ourselves accountable to achieving and communicating clearly defined goals and metrics.
  • Inclusive: We create an open, collaborative space where all stakeholders, including staff, partners, beneficiaries, and supporters are and feel respected, have a sense of belonging, and are able to achieve their potential.
  • Thoughtful: We have a nuanced understanding of the connections between population, health, and the environment and carefully consider the well-being of each other, our global community, and the living planet.
  • Purposeful: We passionately advocate and educate to foster a better, safer, less crowded world for future generations and for the natural world.
  • Rights-based: We uphold sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice so that people everywhere can live meaningful lives free of coercion and rooted in their own choices.