Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

WEF maintains DE&I as core principles of our mission. Our members, Board of Trustees, volunteer leaders, and staff together and individually share responsibility to uphold these principles.

WEF Commits to Valuing Unique 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, personality type, political perspective, and all other characteristics of DE&I.

How We Began DEI News

In October 2024, the WEF Board of Trustees approved an updated DEI Policy. This new version improves our definitions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion while also providing distinct roles and expectations to support DEI within WEF Governance and Administrative Bodies (including the Community Leadership Council and WEF Leadership Staff).

Read WEF's Official DEI Policy

WEF InFlow

This program aims to enhance diversity and inclusion in the water workforce.

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More about WEF InFlow Program

DEI Definitions

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not mutually exclusive and the success of one is dependent on the other two. Therefore, these three 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 DEI 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 DEI.

In 2020, WEF also reviewed and reaffirmed its Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy to ensure an inclusive environment.

Read WEF's Official Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy

DEI News

Awareness and action on diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be present in the activities and communications of every organization. WEF seeks to regularly discuss these topics, share our stories, and make progress toward a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture.