Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

Perhaps this somewhat lengthy phrase has already caught your eye in the context of Vilnius Academy of Arts. But what does it mean for the community?

As of September 2024, the Academy has established the position of Coordinator for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. In the global public sector, particularly in higher education institutions, this framework is commonly referred to by the acronym EDI—equity, diversity, and inclusion. But what exactly do these words mean, and what do people in such roles do?

Equity refers to the implementation of human rights as outlined in international and Lithuanian legal documents, regardless of a person’s gender, race, nationality, citizenship, language, origin, social status, beliefs, opinions, age, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, or religion.

In other words, it is a principle that ensures all individuals can exercise their rights, while institutions operate under conditions of zero discrimination, equal opportunities, accessibility, and fairness. Equity differs from equality: equality refers to the idea that everyone should receive the same resources to achieve their goals, whereas equity differentiates by providing resources based on individual needs (see the image below for a popular visual explanation).

Diversity in this context signifies the recognition of a community’s importance. A work or learning environment enriched by diverse social groups, identities, perspectives, values, and experiences offers a broader, panoramic view. In a society ready to embrace understanding, diversity brings different ideas and solutions to challenges. A multifaceted learning environment fosters social responsibility and provides knowledge essential for making inclusive decisions in the future.

Inclusion is a concept that takes social responsibility a step further, moving beyond mere “integration.” While integration is open to diversity, it often maintains an "us–them" dynamic. In contrast, inclusion fosters a unified understanding of society, based solely on “us” (see the image below for a popular visual explanation).

A person in the role of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing EDI policies, representing the interests of minority groups within the community, preparing preventive measures against discrimination, organizing training on EDI topics for the community, and coordinating the activities of the Equity Committee.

Currently, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator at the Academy is Martynas Arlauskas.

Contact Martynas at: martynas.arlauskas@vda.lt