20-01-2012: 2012 New Year's Reception

Yesterday, January 19 was an important day in the history of LGBT visibility in the workplace in Europe!

A wonderful New Year's reception was hosted at the Head Offices of Accenture, Netherlands in Amsterdam. Attended by more than150 people, and overlooking the nighttime skyline of Amsterdam, the view was only matched by the excitement of the obvious commitment by everyone present to improve the workplace for LGBT people throughout Europe.

Highlights of the evening included speeches by Anja Montijn-Groenewoud, Managing Director Accenture Netherlands and Harry van Dorenmalen, Chairman IBM Europe. Outgoing CPP Chairman Paul Overdijk of Post NL, who will be taking on the role of Co-Chair of Workplace Pride's Advisory Board along with Claudia Woody of IBM, detailed the accomplishments of the Company Pride Platform in 2011. Paul also outlined the role and importance of the Declaration of Amsterdam. 

New Name!

The New Year's reception also saw the final appearance of the Company Pride Platform name. Although sad for some, the CPP is making way for a name that more completely embodies our new scope which includes people in all LGBT workplaces. Along side LGBT people in companies, the new name embraces those in governments and other organizations, as well as including a more international outreach. The CPP's work will be continued under the new name of "Workplace Pride" by helping all those concerned about creating more visibility for LGBT people in the workplace. (Click on the : In the Spotlight article: "CPP is now Workplace Pride" on the Workplace Pride homepage for more details)

Signers of the Declaration of Amsterdam!

Just as memorable as the organization's new name was the signing of the Declaration of Amsterdam by 11 major employers in the Netherlands. With a combined staff of nearly 2 million employees worldwide, this is the clearest signal yet that major companies and governmental organizations are willing and ready to work closely with their own LGBT staffs, NGO's such as Workplace Pride, and even with their competitors to ensure a better workplace for LGBT people. For more information regarding the signing of the Declaration of Amsterdam, click on the In the Spotlight article "Declaration of Amsterdam".

Be watching for photos of the New Year's reception which will be place on the website soon.