WEF maintains these values as core principles of our mission. Our members, Board of Trustees, volunteer leaders, and staff together and individually share responsibility to uphold these principles.
Our Commitment to Valuing All Identities
We are committed to creating an organization that acknowledges and celebrates our unique differences, including education, career background, age, gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability status, accent, socioeconomic status, cultural heritage and religion, parental status, marital status, veteran status, personality type, political perspective, and all other characteristics.
In June 2026, the WEF Board of Trustees approved an updated Culture and Belonging Policy. This update improves our definitions of Culture, Belonging, and Equity as it pertains to WEF. The policy contains clarity of roles and expectations to support Culture and Belonging within WEF’s governance and administrative bodies (including the House of Delegates, Community Leadership Council and WEF Leadership Staff).
Interested in Supporting Culture and Belonging in WEF?
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Culture and belonging are not mutually exclusive and the success of one is dependent on the other. Therefore, the following are intentionally connected. We believe that starting with shared and clear definitions for these topics will enable us to better understand each other and make progress toward our goals.
Diversity
Diversity encompasses the varying experiences, strengths, skills, perspectives, personal characteristics, cultures, and backgrounds represented by and within the WEF community.
Equity
A commitment to equity means an environment where everyone has the opportunity and access to realize their full potential, and no-one is disadvantaged because of their group identity or other socially determined circumstance.
Inclusion
The act of inclusion embraces and celebrates the perspectives, voices, values, and needs of each individual to generate a culture where all feel heard, respected, valued, and included in the broader WEF purpose.
How We Began
In August 2019, WEF initiated its culture and belonging work through the formation of the Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. This task force provided over 50 recommendations for improving diversity in the water sector and stressed the importance of internal reflection.
In 2020, WEF took further steps by establishing a DEI Board of Trustees Subcommittee, a House of Delegates DE&I Work Group, and a Staff Working Group on Racial Equity. In 2021, these groups were made permanent committees, solidifying the organization’s long-term commitment to culture and belonging.
In 2020, WEF also reviewed and reaffirmed its Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy to ensure an inclusive environment.
See how WEF connects the people and ideas driving clean water and public health. Membership gives you access to benefits, resources, and a network committed to impact.
