February 14, 2023
The employees of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General in the Netherlands under the leadership of Ambassador Razdan Duggal and Deputy Chief of Mission Woodward signed a charter to formalize the U.S. Mission’s council for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The employee-led council will uphold the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands’ commitment to an inclusive, empowering environment where an equitable, diverse workforce thrives, is treated with dignity and respect, and contributes successfully to advancing the goals of the Mission.
Ambassador Razdan Duggal called the February 14, 2023 signing of the council’s charter, “a historic milestone for this employee-led initiative which continues to ensure our duties align with our principles.”
The charter gives a clear structure to a democratic, grassroots organization: the DEIA Council. Membership is open to all members of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General community, and the Council is managed by a six-person board of employees elected into leadership positions by their peers. Committees with elected chairs organize the activities of the Council within the Embassy, Consulate General, and externally in partnership with outside entities. The U.S. State Department officially supports the creation of DEIA Councils at its diplomatic posts abroad.
During her remarks at the signing of the DEIA Council’s charter, Chairperson Samantha Macin Mengual said, “Community is so much more than just a label; it embodies the strength of being a part of something greater than oneself, and being part of something is meaningful, powerful, and empowering. Community is the foundation upon which DEIA rests and for the DEIA Council, community is at the heart of everything we do.”
The Council provides a forum for all employees to set the agenda for promoting, fostering, and embracing DEIA. According to the charter, the Council will advise leadership on new approaches to promote, increase, and retain workforce diversity. The Council is responsible for reviewing and proposing projects, policies, practices, and procedures that advance an organizational climate that promotes DEIA. The Council also promotes DEIA through education and awareness-raising programs reaching Mission employees.
For updates on the work of Ambassador Razdan Duggal, the DEIA Council, and the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands, please join our social media community. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter where we provide regular content regarding foreign policy, programs and events, and the priorities of our Embassy and Consulate General.
