NEWS
Creating a Sense of Belonging for Everyone in Our Community
9 May 2025
At the Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), we have promoted equity, non-discrimination, and accessibility in various ways and functions.
This work is developed as part of our corporate social responsibility actions, aiming to enhance opportunities for every student and staff member to fully participate in our community at HAMK.
As a higher education institution, we are increasingly expected to take responsibility for corporate social responsibility: for example, funders expect specific reporting, and young applicants and students expect that responsibility issues are well managed at the university.
The EU Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) also changes the operating environment. Corporate social responsibility is typically divided into three areas, abbreviated as ESG: Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G).
Practical Examples of Creating More Inclusive Spaces at HAMK – Living Libraries and DEIA Workshops
As part of our corporate social responsibility actions, we have promoted and created more inclusive spaces, for example, by organising different events and activities. One of them is called the “Living Library”, which is an interactive activity where people “borrow” individuals (living books) from diverse backgrounds and minorities to hear their personal stories and lived experiences. The goal is to create a safe space for respectful dialogues to challenge stereotypes and biases, foster understanding and empathy, and build a more inclusive community. The Living Library concept is of Danish origin.
Our “living books” have included students, staff members, and some alumni. We have organised Living Libraries on various occasions, such as campus days and staff unit days. The feedback, both from the living books and their readers, has been great, with the experience being rewarding and encouraging. The atmosphere has been warm, and connections have been made. Participants have been positively curious, with an open mind and open heart.
Another example is Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Workshops for HAMK’s students. As part of HAMK’s Career Services’ Service Menu for international students, we offer workshops focusing on DEIA topics to strengthen sustainable international community building at HAMK and integration into Finnish society.
These workshops introduce the fundamentals of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, and how these principles are reflected in Finnish society’s commitment to equality, fairness and human rights, and how they relate to work life. We focus on strategies that promote belonging and inclusivity in all areas of life, and explore DEIA competencies as essential future skills for students.
Sustainability Principles Guide Our Work
At HAMK, we aim to strengthen and harmonise our efforts towards responsibility and sustainability, and to integrate the implementation of corporate social responsibility more firmly into everyone’s work. To support this progress, new sustainability principles have been completed.
HAMK’s sustainability principles are divided into four categories. The first one concerns our handprint, which means HAMK’s impact on the society around us. The second category relates to environmental responsibility, the third one to social responsibility and the fourth to good administration, following the commonly used ESG classification (environmental, social and governance):
- Our impact is generated through education and research
- Our work is guided by environmental responsibility
- We are an inclusive place to both study and work
- We are a responsible and developing organisation
The principles are guidelines that can be applied to all strategic activities at HAMK. The next step will be defining goals and indicators. In the future, we will report on their progress and implementation in our Annual Report.
