Diversity Mission Statement

The British Embassy in Havana is committed to a working culture in which all staff and their families, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, beliefs, disability or sexual orientation, can play a full, satisfying and rewarding role. We shall encourage, embrace and celebrate difference, inclusion, personal development and teamwork.

Context and background

All British Embassies and High Commissions have Diversity Action Plans, reflecting the priority of the FCO’s commitment to diversity. The plan below is flexible and open to change. It aims to set out milestones on the road to an Embassy that as far as possible encapsulates the ideal of our Diversity Mission Statement.

Steps towards greater diversity

The Ambassador is the Embassy’s Diversity Champion. She encourages both UK based and Cuban staff to volunteer as diversity co-ordinators. Their role is to build awareness, alert post management to problems or opportunities, and oversee the implementation of the action plan. At least one of the diversity co-ordinators should be on the Post Management Committee. The diversity co-ordinators should change annually in order to bring fresh inspiration to the role and give a wide range of people the opportunity to contribute.

Under the Diversity Champion’s leadership, the Embassy will enact policies and initiatives which further our diversity agenda. Examples of such policies and initiatives that the Embassy has undertaken since this Action Plan was first launched are:

• Access Audit;
• Diversity talks as part of IIP "packed lunch" series;
• Publication of this page on Diversity on Embassy website;
• Taking part in CAMCAT diversity forum on FCONet;
• Embassy job advertisements highlight our diversity objective and reach as wide a pool of potential applicants as practicable;
• Diversity presentations from outside speakers;
• All staff have a diversity objective in their Forward Job Plan;
• Diversity training has been made available to all staff through a course presented in Havana by the Regional Training Centre in Lima and through a CD-Rom for distance learning. 

The way ahead

We recognise that our staff will be able to make an optimal contribution to the work of the Embassy if we provide a working environment that follows best practice and promotes the principles of diversity. This includes by:

• Introducing family-friendly policies including the encouragement of flexible working methods whenever practicable;
• Taking into account both local and UK culture wherever possible e.g. in deciding our public holidays;
• Seeking out opportunities for the training and development of all our staff including through imaginative initiatives e.g. shadowing;
  Ensuring that our diversity training is constantly being refreshed and updated;
• Making the most of the skills of our staff;
• Involving other relevant bodies in our diversity work e.g. the British Council whose "best practice" we might be able to learn from; other Embassies/International Organisations in Havana and Cuban organisations who share our diversity objectives e.g. Cátedra de la Mujer de la Universidad de la Habana, Cenesex, Asociación Cubana de Limitados Físico-Motores, Religious organisations, etc.