Asia Pacific

Open & Out Allyship training in APAC

At Johnson & Johnson, we foster a culture of inclusion and belonging where all perspectives, abilities and experiences are valued. The Open & Out Allyship training in the Asia Pacific Region was a pivotal initiative led by the Employee Resource Group (ERG). It aimed to heighten awareness among people managers about the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in APAC, highlighting potential negative impacts such as retention and employee engagement.

One of the key components of the training was the launch of an allyship program targeting managers and above, emphasizing the importance of addressing challenges encountered by the LGBTQ+ community in the APAC region.

During the sessions, participants gained insights into the varying levels of inclusion across different markets in APAC, particularly concerning issues like same-gender medical benefits and recognition of same-sex relationships. Three senior panelists shared their personal experiences, shedding light on topics such as psychological safety, the impact of COVID-19 on same-sex couples in regions with limited recognition of partnerships, and challenges related to same-sex medical benefits.

Attendees were encouraged to translate their learnings into action by committing to at least one Goal and Objective (G&O) and actively fostering inclusive environments for the LGBTQ+ community.

Overall, the training served as a platform for dialogue, education, and advocacy, empowering participants to become allies and champions of LGBTQ+ inclusion in their respective workplaces across the Asia Pacific Region.

Latin America

Finding yourself in diversity

At J&J, we collaborate with companies, policymakers, academic and advocacy organizations to shape the future of health. Jornada Encontrarse en la Diversidad is an organization in which the diversity of its members is understood as a value that enriches and empowers all as a community and as people. Jornada Encontrarse en la Diversidad held an event that takes place every year in Argentina, where 2,000 high school and college students engage in full day of activities design to explore how to create more inclusive environments.

This is the largest event focused on diversity in LATAM. During the event, engagement happened through different activities like workshops, panels and shows. The team set path to analyze, recognize and debate exclusion and discriminations in society.

J&J was one of the main sponsors of the event, having several J&J employees working as volunteers during the event and leaders participating as panelist. The event helped us to better understand the experiences of young talent regarding DEI related topics. It also created the opportunity to share best practices and learn from other institutions (public and private) that are actively working on DEI.

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Women in Surgery Africa

Our Global Health Equity organization joined with Women in Surgery Africa (WiSA) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) to announce the awardees for the first ever Women in Surgery Research Grant (WISURG), which will help to foster the growth of the next generation of female surgeons. The grant, which is supported by the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, will provide a $5,000 financial grant, research methodology training and mentorship programming to promote high-level research and increase female surgeon participation in clinical research in the Eastern and Southern African region. The WiSA Grant Selection Committee selected five grantees, focused on a wide range of issues from pediatric trauma, improving breast cancer outcomes to use cases for artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery.

The announcement took place at the 23rd College of Surgeons Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Annual Scientific Conference – the leading gathering for the surgical workforce in Africa.

Africa faces a severe shortage of healthcare workers, and surgery is no different, with less than 12 percent of the world’s surgical workforce living on the continent and female surgeons making up just 9 percent of that workforce. This can mean that women are underrepresented in decision-making positions, leaving women’s needs to fall to the wayside when health challenges are being addressed.

Through this grant, Johnson & Johnson is helping to support a robust and diverse workforce, that is poised to deliver safe and quality surgical care that meets the needs of all populations.

North America

J&J Canada's commitment to reconciliation

Founded in 2022, the Committee to Celebrate Indigenous Culture Canada (CCIC) ERG is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting understanding of Indigenous peoples' issues and cultures.

The CCIC's mission is clear: to foster an inclusive environment within J&J Canada that not only celebrates Indigenous cultures but also acknowledges and addresses their diverse needs as employees, customers, and patients.

The CCIC has achieved significant milestones:

• Land acknowledgment: The CCIC crafted and published a Land Acknowledgment document, prominently displayed at each J&J site across Canada. This document serves as a tangible symbol of respect for Indigenous lands and traditions
• Awareness campaigns: The CCIC has been instrumental in driving awareness of key Indigenous observances throughout the year. Events such as Red Dress Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day, and Every Child Matters Day/National Truth and Reconciliation Day are now recognized and commemorated across the organization.
• Employee training: Recognizing the importance of education, the CCIC developed an Indigenous 101 employee training module. This module has been completed by all current J&J Canada employees and is now part of the onboarding process for new hires.
• Community partnerships: Through collaborations with organizations like True North Aid and Workforce Forward, the CCIC has established meaningful relationships within the Indigenous community, furthering their impact and outreach.