DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE

At RED SEA PROJECT™, we are committed to the protection and conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Fundamental to our mission is a dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), ensuring that marine conservation efforts benefit and involve people from all backgrounds, now and for future generations. This statement outlines our principles and values, forming the foundation for our DEIJ strategies and action plans.

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Definitions
 

• Diversity: Reflects the representation of individuals from varied nationalities, cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, education levels, genders, and other demographic factors.

• Equity: Involves allocating resources and opportunities to address systemic barriers, ensuring fair and effective access for everyone, including women, girls, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups, to contribute to and benefit from marine conservation.  

• Inclusion: Is the active practice of creating space for and amplifying diverse perspectives. This involves intentionally addressing unequal power dynamics, accommodating different needs, and centering voices from underrepresented communities.  

• Justice: Ensures equity by dismantling inequitable systems and establishing fair frameworks that distribute benefits, responsibilities, and opportunities equitably while respecting the diversity of individuals and communities. 

Organizational Statement
The Red Sea is home to one of the most biodiverse and fragile marine ecosystems on the planet, providing vital resources to nearby communities and supporting livelihoods, cultural traditions, and global biodiversity. At RED SEA PROJECT™, we recognize that conserving this precious environment requires the active involvement of all stakeholders, particularly those living in rural and economically disadvantaged areas who are often closest to the resources and most impacted by their degradation.

These communities frequently face systemic challenges, including limited access to education, economic opportunities, and participation in conservation initiatives. We are committed to addressing these barriers by fostering equity, creating pathways for engagement, and empowering local populations to become stewards of their environment.

We envision a future where the Red Sea thrives as a biodiverse ecosystem, with the benefits of conservation shared equitably among its people. We commit to:
 

•  Supporting and collaborating with rural and marginalized communities, including women, girls, Indigenous Peoples, and people with disabilities, in and around the Red Sea.

• Providing educational and training opportunities that empower local populations, particularly women and youth, to lead conservation efforts.

• Ensuring that our programs are accessible and inclusive, meeting the needs of disadvantaged communities by offering culturally appropriate training materials, and utilizing inclusive communication strategies.

• Continuously learning and adapting our approaches to reflect the needs, values, and experiences of the communities we serve through regular feedback mechanisms and community-led evaluations.

• Developing and implementing action plans to align our work with principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to track progress and demonstrate accountability.
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