On 21 September 2021, UNESCO hosted a kick-off event to launch a special edition of its Master Class series against racism and discrimination for ba&sh. Organized by UNESCO's Social and Human Sciences Programme, this special Series has been uniquely designed for ba&sh's 1100 employees of their Headquarters’ and retail and logistics network based in three continents (Europe, USA and China). This special edition aims to raise awareness, empower, and engage ba&sh in the fight against racism and discrimination, in favor of diversity and inclusion.
The conceptualization technical coordination and facilitation of the different sessions will be entrusted to the International Institute for Human Rights and Peace (2IDHP), a UNESCO partner since the launch of the Master Class in November 2019. Evelyne Heyer, Professor of Genetic Anthropology from the National Museum of Natural History, and Alan Goodman, Professor of Biological Anthropology at Hampshire College, are leading the scientific committee that will design and implement the Master Class series.
A step-by-step course will be offered to employees based on the following objectives:
- to comprehend the mechanisms leading to racism and discrimination;
- to understand racism and discrimination on a global level and to transform cultural diversity into a strength;
- to foster and promote the emergence of an inclusive and tolerant work environment.
Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, welcomed the ba&sh management team – Barbara Boccara, Sharon Krief, Dan Arrouas and Pierre-Arnaud Grenade – to UNESCO’s Headquarters.
I welcome ba&sh's leadership and openness to working together on this important issue. I commend their willingness to move beyond words to action, not only to combat racism in general, but also to make it a central part of business practice by integrating UNESCO’s Master Class into their staff training around the world. The fight against prejudices and stereotypes, which express themselves differently in each part of the world, is a worthy effort that UNESCO is ready to support.
Founded in 2003 by Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief alongside Dan Arrouas and the Vog Group, ba&sh is participating in this partnership as part of its sustainable development strategy and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Designed as an ideal wardrobe with its optimistic femininity, ba&sh is a well-known French fashion brand.
Launched by UNESCO in November 2019, the Master Class against Racism and Discrimination series aims to empower participants to become champions in their communities, and to raise awareness on how to deconstruct the foundations upholding racism and discrimination. It is a "training of trainers". This series is part of the Roadmap against Racism that UNESCO is developing. This will include an analytical project to strengthen institutional and legal frameworks against racism and discrimination, positive actions in the public and private sectors, and a training on fighting against prejudice.