WHAT YOU GAIN
Teams have a shared language and reference framework around bias and inclusion
Psychological safety around the topic increases — including for initially sceptical participants
Participants learn about methods to counter bias and exclusion
THE CORE PROBLEM
Our brains evolved to judge quickly. These automatic patterns — biases and stereotypes — conserve cognitive energy, but also drive behaviour. Without insight into these mechanisms, diversity initiatives generate resistance instead of engagement: people feel accused, not invited.
The Diversity Fresco breaks that dynamic through a collaborative, non-normative format. Participants discover together how the brain works — without anyone being designated as the guilty party. The result is a shared understanding that forms the basis for genuine behaviour change.
Resistance through blame — classic bias training triggers defensiveness when experienced as accusation
The Diversity Fresco was initiated by ESSEC Business School in collaboration with Belugames, under the academic guidance of Junko Takagi.
Inspired by the Climate Fresco methodology, it is a collective intelligence workshop built on behavioural science.
Participants work with concept cards covering:
Cognitive biases (e.g. confirmation bias, in-group bias)
Stereotypes and prejudice
Discrimination (intentional and unintentional)
Legal and organisational levers
Core DEI concepts (equality, equity, privilege, intersectionality)
The workshop unfolds in structured rounds. In each round, participants engage in short interactive games before collectively organising the concept cards. These experiential exercises make abstract mechanisms tangible and spark honest dialogue.
Through facilitated debriefs, the group maps how discrimination mechanisms operate — and where intervention is possible.
This is not a lecture.
It is a fully interactive, experience-based learning process that makes blind spots visible.
Awareness alone does not change systems.
Without follow-up, insights fade and behaviours revert.
We therefore strongly recommend a custom consolidation workshop, tailored to your organisation.
For example:
Translating insights into concrete action plans
Developing an allies strategy
Working through real-life internal cases
Embedding inclusive practices in leadership routines
The Fresco opens the conversation.
The consolidation workshop turns insight into sustained change.
⏱ 3 hours I 👥 Suitable for all employees - Ideal for teams I 🏢 In-company or virtual I 📐 Tailored to your context I 🌐 NL, EN & FR
RELATED
ACADEMY · DEI
The in-depth module that lays the scientific foundation for what the Diversity Fresco makes accessible.
ACADEMY - DEI
The practical next step: from shared language to concrete intervention in daily interactions.
A short exploratory conversation is usually the best starting point.
“Powerful and eye-opening. The format allows honest dialogue without polarisation.”
“Finally a way to discuss bias without blame.”
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