The OXLO (Oslo Extra Large) Conference 2024, held from 12 to 14 November in the city of Oslo (Norway), highlighted the city’s efforts to embed diversity and representation of racialized communities in municipal leadership. With its comprehensive Diversity Action Plan, Oslo offers a promising model for tackling systemic inequalities and promoting inclusive governance, closely aligning with ECCAR’s Ten-Point Action Plan—particularly Point 5: “The City as an Active Supporter of Equal Opportunity Practices.”
Diversity at the Core of Leadership
Under the leadership of Mayor Anne Lindboe, Oslo has demonstrated remarkable political commitment to advancing diversity through its comprehensive Diversity Action Plan. This plan emphasizes the need to address the underrepresentation of individuals with migration backgrounds in leadership roles, ensuring that decision-making bodies reflect the city's diverse population. Kristin Bach Skaset, Section Manager of the Welfare Agency’s Inclusion and Diversity Section, and Channeh Maram Joof, Special Advisor and OXLO Coordinator are responsible for the implementation and coordination of the plan. Their work reinforces Oslo's vision of diversity as a cornerstone of governance, echoing ECCAR’s commitment to fostering equality within municipal administrations.
Key Strategies of Oslo’s Diversity Action Plan
The city’s plan outlines actionable strategies, such as:
- Strengthening recruitment efforts to attract leaders with minority backgrounds.
- Raising awareness through anti-discrimination training for municipal employees.
- Establishing monitoring mechanisms to ensure progress in achieving diversity goals.
These measures directly contribute to ECCAR’s Ten-Point Action Plan by promoting equal opportunity practices and making antiracism a priority in public service.
Lessons Shared at the OXLO Conference
At the conference Evein Obulor, Director of ECCAR, emphasized positive measures European cities can adopt to advance diversity in leadership. These include anonymized application processes, mentoring programs, and policies to combat workplace discrimination. She also showcased success stories from across Europe, illustrating how targeted initiatives can foster inclusive workplaces.
A Model for European Municipalities
The OXLO Conference reinforced the importance of representation in leadership as a means to foster inclusive societies. Oslo's work demonstrates that diversity is not only an ethical imperative but also a driver of innovation and better decision-making. As municipalities across Europe look to address the challenges of representation and racism, Oslo's Diversity Action Plan and the linked initiatives, serve as a beacon of what is possible when diversity is prioritized at the highest levels of governance.
