On the occasion of EU Diversity Month, the European Commission, through DG DEFIS, organises the DIVERIS Annual Meeting, bringing together members of the DIVERIS network and stakeholders from across the European space and defence ecosystems.
The meeting provides a platform to exchange practices, discuss current challenges and identify concrete actions to advance diversity and inclusion in highly technical sectors, where these are increasingly recognised as enablers of innovation, resilience and long-term competitiveness.
About the event
In the space and defence sectors, attracting, retaining and empowering diverse talent is essential not only for fairness and equal opportunity, but also for technological excellence and Europe’s strategic autonomy.
The DIVERIS network connects stakeholders committed to advancing diversity and inclusion and promoting concrete action across the ecosystem.
The Annual Meeting provides a space to:
- discuss current trends and challenges
- share good practices and initiatives
- foster dialogue across stakeholder groups
- identify practical solutions to structural barriers
- explore future areas for cooperation
Who should attend
The event is open to participants across the European space and defence ecosystems, including:
- European Commission representatives
- industry stakeholders
- space agencies and research organisations
- universities and technical institutes
- civil society organisations active in diversity and inclusion
- members of the DIVERIS network
Event format
The meeting will take place in hybrid format, with participation possible both in person and online.
The programme will combine:
- keynote intervention providing a strategic perspective
- presentations of initiatives from across the ecosystem
- panel and moderated discussions
- interactive exchanges among participants
A dedicated DIVERIS Marketplace of Ideas (poster session) will be organised for in-person participants, providing a space to present initiatives and foster direct exchange.
Why participate
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- gain insights into current diversity and inclusion challenges
- discover innovative practices across the ecosystem
- connect with peers and organisations
- contribute to future actions and collaboration within the DIVERIS network
Organised by:
DG DEFIS, with the support of Women in Aerospace Europe, member of the DIVERIS network.
Registrations are now closed but if you wish to attend please send an email to : DEFIS-EQUALITY
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DEFIS-EQUALITY[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).
- inclusion
- Thursday 7 May 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 (CEST)
- Bruxelles, Belgium
Programme
- 7 May 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 (CEST)DIVERIS Annual Meeting 2026 – Programme
09:00 – 10:00: Participants check-in
10:00 – 10:15: Welcome address by Lorena Boix Alonso, Deputy Director-General DG DEFIS
10:15 – 11:00: Breaking Structural Barriers: Building Inclusive Talent Pipelines in the Space and Defence Ecosystems
Despite progress, structural barriers continue to limit the attraction, retention and career progression of diverse talent in the space and defence sectors. As Europe strengthens its capabilities, diversifying the workforce is a strategic necessity for resilience, innovation and competitiveness. The discussion will focus on practical approaches to, attract diverse talent, retain women in STEM, foster inclusive leadership, improve career pathways.
Moderator: Xenia Pattberg, WIA-Europe
Speakers
- Alexia Van Praet, Sierra Tango
- Emmuel Jacob, EUROMIL
- Ildiko Szoke, ESA
- Daniela Genta, Space Y
- Olivier Lemaître, ASD-Eurospace
11:00 – 11:45: Addressing Unconscious Bias in Management: Building Inclusive Leadership Across Sectors
This panel will explore the impact of unconscious bias in management practices and the role of targeted training in fostering inclusive leadership. The discussion will highlight among others common diversity-related management challenges across sectors and the effectiveness of experiential and practice-based learning.
Moderator: Maria Fernandez Molinero, European Commission, DG DEFIS
Speakers
- Roberta Paoletti, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini
- Olga Molina Tomey, CEC – European Managers
- Christine Evans-Cecil, JUMP
- Monica Pesce, EY
11:45 – 12:00: Keynote by Christina Gianopapa, Head of Office of the Executive Director EUSPA
12:00 – 13:30: Lunch break
13:30 – 14:00: Keynote by Cécile Deprez, (They/Them), Intersectional Decolonial Activist
14:00 – 14:45: Beyond Outputs: Driving Real Impact Across Every Dimension of D&I
While many organisations report on diversity metrics, a key question remains. What tangible changes are being achieved in practice. This panel explores how D&I drives measurable organisational impact by linking diversity and inclusion goals to core business KPIs, embedding them into organisational processes, integrating them into HR policies, and measuring outcomes through concrete indicators.
Moderator: Isabella Poldrugo, European Commission, DG DEFIS
Speakers
- Chiara Capparrini, EUSPA
- Sarah Cooke O’Dowd, EIGE
- Ginette Manderscheid, European Defence Agency
- Daniela Dobreva-Nielsen, bavAIRia e.V.
14:45 – 15:00: Coffee break
15:00 – 15:45: Diversity as a Driver of Sustainability
Sustainability cannot be achieved without integrating diverse perspectives. This panel explores how diversity contributes to more innovative and sustainable solutions, with a focus on sustainability initiatives in the space and defence sectors, the structural and cultural challenges related to inclusion, and the role of interdisciplinary teams in decision-making.
Moderator: Giancarlo Granero, European Commission, DG DEFIS
Speakers
- Varvara Kut’yina, Cosmos for Humanity
- Sabrina Alam, University of Luxembourg
- Sana Afouaiz, Women Entrepreneur Initiative
- Carmen Niethammer, European Investment Bank
15:45 – 16:00
Keynote by Lorena Boix Alonso, Deputy Director-General DG DEFIS16:00 – 17:00: DIVERIS Marketplace of Ideas & Networking
The Marketplace of Ideas showcases concrete initiatives, research and practices advancing diversity and inclusion across the space and defence ecosystem. A group of high-level representatives and stakeholders will visit the poster session, offering an opportunity for direct exchange and visibility. This session will include the visit and opportunity to present to:
- Anne Fort, Deputy Head of Cabinet Commissioner Kubilius
- Esther Luigi, Member of Cabinet Commissioner Lahbib
- Lorena Boix Alonso, Deputy Director-General DG Defis
- Giancarlo Granero, Head of Unit Space Economy DG DEFIS
Selected posters:
- Arti Dhole (EQUAIS)
Bridge the gap: from diversity presence to meaningful contribution - Liga Baltina (Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini)
Engaging young diverse talent in defence: lessons from the European Defence Challenge and beyond - Cecile Deprez (German Aerospace Center – DLR)
How ERGs transform people: Driving inclusion at DLR. Belonging, agency and leadership through grassroots initiatives - Cecile Deprez (SGAC Diversity and Gender Equality Group)
SGAC Diversity and Gender Equality Project Group - Dialogue for Space (Team)
Supporting early-career professionals through a European community-driven initiative - Miriam Henriques Rosa (QSR Consulting)
Why Diversity Training Fails, and How to Make It Work: Evidence-based pathways for organisational impact - Miriam Henriques Rosa (QSR Consulting) & Fátima Matinas (IPN – Instituto Pedro Nunes)
From Skills to Belonging: Mobilising quadruple-helix communities for inclusive ecosystems - Ana Maria Matheus (Space Women Alliance – SWAN)
SWANRISE: mentorship accelerator for women leaders - Varvara Kut’yina (Cosmos for Humanity)
Diversity as a foundation for sustainable space - Anna Lager (EIT Raw Materials)
Girls Go STEM TBC (Women in Aerospace Europe)
WIA Europa Grants & Awards 2026,
- Emma Kersalé (Brussels Binder)
Brussels Binder
Practical information
- When
- Thursday 7 May 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 (CEST)
- Where
- Charlemagne Building Alcide De Gasperi 2nd FloorRue de la Loi 170, 1040 Bruxelles, Belgium
- Languages
- English
Description
