Poster and Pitch Exposition - Managing Social and Organisational Diversity

On January 22, 2025, the third-semester students in the International Studies in Global Management program at Hochschule Bremen, in collaboration with the Lions Club Bremen - Cosmopolitan, the Foreign Business Club of Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen, and the Global Interactions Collective of HSB, hosted an exhibition titled "Managing Social and Organizational Diversity." This poster and pitch exhibition attracted a diverse audience, including students, academics, and professionals from various sectors such as businesses, social organizations, political institutions, and administrative services. The aim of the event was to explore the numerous challenges and opportunities that diversity presents in organizational contexts and in society as a whole.

The event began with a warm welcome from Karsten Papmeyer, President of Lions Clubs International – Cosmopolitan, as well as from Zorby Ökten and Fatima Hussein, two members of the student organizing committee. Their opening remarks set a positive tone for a dynamic exchange of ideas and networking opportunities. Anna Heines, Coordinator of the Foreign Business Club of WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen, played a vital role in the outreach efforts beforehand.

Students from the Global Management program presented their research through engaging poster pitches that addressed key questions related to diversity management. The exhibitions and presentations focused on the formation of diverse teams, using examples, case studies, and scientific literature to illustrate the criteria and conditions for successful collaboration. This approach sparked significant discussions about the role of diversity in leadership and problem-solving.

Participants explored a variety of topics, including:

• The Dynamics of Multidisciplinary Teams: A presentation using NASA as a case study, explained by Fatima Hussain, Kieu Trinh Dao, Jasmin Krohn, Nourhan Fatal und Sarya Bozkurt.
• Managing Age Diversity in the Workplace: Insights from Benedict Sonnenschein, Lara Alwart, Niklas Lott, Tino Pham, Meric Bicici, and Zorbey Ökten.
• Gender Diversity in Teams: An analysis of Nike's experiences, analyzed by Abishayini Kumar, Alongkorn Christ Litschke, Dario Nehre, Michelle Zelinsky, and Paul Hahndorf.
• Inclusive and Barrier-Free Tourism in Bremen: Explored by Nilay Tiryakioglu, Deborah Emouwhe, Parssa Moradianfar, Nada Harms, and Aylin Günal.
• The Motivations of Minority Representatives in Influential Positions: Investigated by Larisa Deters, Nelli Kempf, Giorgia Pagliuch, Aliya Luvuezo, Christopher Schepanski, and Alina Bondarenko.
• The Impact of Multilingualism on School Children's Performance: Presented by Azra Kiziltepe, Elhadj Amadou Sidy Diallo, Laundry Imboula, Mariam Issa, Celine Güldenpfenning, and Laura Jakupi.

The creativity and dedication expressed in each poster underscored the participants' commitment to understanding and promoting diversity.

The event served not only as a platform for presenting research findings but also as an important learning experience for all involved. Participants reflected on the importance of embracing different perspectives and highlighted the transformative power of effective diversity management. Attendees, including representatives from leading social, economic, political, administrative, academic, and financial organizations, actively engaged with the presenters, exchanging actionable ideas and feedback. Many emphasized how the insights gained could be applied to their future endeavors.

Erwin Silaban, the School of International Business' expert on Southeast Asian economy and culture and a member of the Global Interactions Collective at Hochschule Bremen, expressed gratitude alongside Fatima Hussein, the head of the student organizing committee, to the participating teams, supporting organizations, and the visitors representing multiple organizations.

Special thanks were also extended to the organizing team, particularly Fatima Hussain and Kieu Trinh Dao, for their tireless efforts in coordinating the event. Their commitment ensured a smooth experience for all participants, making the day both memorable and impactful.