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Taboo-breaking board game for more diversity and inclusion in the workplace now on the market

Dutch B Corps and B Lab Benelux launch innovative tool for social change

Amsterdam, October 3, 2023 – 'Let's play equal', a game designed to encourage more diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace, is now officially available. The board game was created on the initiative of four Dutch B Corps in collaboration with B Lab Benelux. After pre-orders from France, Italy, Brazil and the United States, the first game was handed over to Tessa van Soest, director of B Lab Benelux. Danone and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences are also working with Let's play equal to discuss social change in the workplace. The B Corp coalition wants to use the game to support hundreds of companies in a crucial transition to more equality within organizations.

Tackling social issues in a playful way

Since the announcement of Let's play equal at the B for Good Leaders Summit in Amsterdam, the game has attracted the attention of organizations worldwide. It offers an innovative and effective way to discuss complex social issues such as inequality and to promote mutual understanding in the workplace. The first copy was presented today - on Diversity Day - to Tessa van Soest, director of B Lab Benelux. She emphasizes the importance of the game as an instrument for change: “Diversity and inclusion should be high on the agenda in all organizations, but only 27% have made a policy on it in the Netherlands. That really needs to change. This board game for teams facilitates important – and often uncomfortable – conversations that need to be had at all levels of an organization. From boardroom to shop floor.” In the Netherlands, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and Danone, among others, are working on the game. Nathalie van der Put, General Secretary Director of the food company: “Let's play equal offers the opportunity to start dialogue and promote mutual understanding, without becoming too personal. A game that must be played to learn and grow as a person and as an organization.”

For the greatest possible social impact, the initiators encourage organizations to pass the game on to another team or company after it has achieved its goal. “Playing a game is fun: you get into flow, become more open and dare more. In addition, the power of Let's play equal lies in its ability to further spread the fire of diversity, inclusion and equality, until it embraces the entire society," said the B Corp coalition. And that is desperately needed: research shows that employers' intentions to create an inclusive work culture do not always match the reality on the work floor. Last year, 35% of Dutch employees said they had to deal with discriminatory comments, being ignored or excluded*.

Starting position based on privileges

Let's play equal offers organizations a platform to have conversations about diversity, inclusion and inequality. At the start of the game, each player receives a card of a person with certain characteristics, such as gender, mental health, cultural background, education level and sexual preference. These traits determine the starting positions and privileges of the players, just like in real life. During the game, participants discuss various life events, ranging from love for someone of the same sex to discrimination or seeking promotion at work. Your privileges influence the outcome of these events and your progress in the game. The board game challenges players to think about who has the greatest chance of winning in 'the game of life' and encourages them to strive for greater awareness and understanding.

About Let's play equal - The most unfair game in the world

Let's play equal can be ordered via www.letsplayequal.com.

Character stories are inspired by in-depth interviews with real people.

The game is suitable for playing in a group of 4 to 8 people and lasts 90 minutes.

The profits from the game go to initiatives that contribute to a more inclusive society.

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