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Diversity and Inclusion at YAS

At YAS, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community within the aquaculture industry. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enriches our society, helping to drive innovation, collaboration, and growth. We strive to create a welcoming environment where all members, regardless of gender, race, nationality, ability, or other differences, feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute.

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Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in every aspect of YAS, from the opportunities we provide to our members to the leadership within our executive committee. We encourage members from all walks of life to engage, share their knowledge, and help shape the future of the aquaculture industry. Together, we can ensure that aquaculture continues to be a field where everyone can thrive.

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We also strive to make our opportunities inclusive and to act as matchmakers, connecting the right YAS members with the right opportunities to maximize engagement and impact. You can find a full explanation of how we do this on this page.

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Our D&I Principles:

  • Promote Equal Opportunity: Ensure that all members, regardless of background or identity, have equal access to opportunities and events.

  • Inclusive Language: Always use inclusive language in all communications. Avoid language that may alienate or marginalise groups.

  • Encourage Diverse Representation: When planning events, invite speakers, panelists, and participants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to ensure different perspectives are heard.

  • Ongoing Learning: Stay informed on issues related to diversity and inclusion and continue to evolve practices to foster a supportive environment for all.

  • Accessible Events and Materials: We design our events, resources, and communications to be accessible to as many people as possible. This includes considering physical accessibility, providing digital content in formats that are easy to navigate, and using plain language to ensure clarity.

  • Celebrating Differences: We recognize that diversity comes in many forms—cultural, personal, and professional. We encourage members to celebrate these differences and see them as strengths that contribute to the richness of our community.

  • Feedback and Growth: We are committed to continuous improvement. We actively seek feedback from our members to identify gaps in inclusivity and make changes to address them.

  • Bias Awareness: We strive to minimise biases in our decision-making processes by being transparent, using clear criteria, and ensuring diverse representation in leadership and committees.

  • Zero Tolerance for Discrimination: YAS has a zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination, harassment, or any behavior that undermines the principles of inclusion and respect.

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By adhering to these principles, the EC and our members can help create a space where everyone feels they belong and can contribute meaningfully to the future of aquaculture.

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As a young, volunteer-led organization, we acknowledge that we may not always get everything right. However, we believe that together, as a community, we can grow and we encourage members to contribute ideas, highlight areas for improvement, and work with us to ensure our society grows into an inclusive, tolerant, and welcoming community.

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