Vietnam Corporate Pride Network (VCPN), a network which seeks to highlight the importance of advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights and workplace inclusion practices in Vietnam, has launched an official website after hosting its first networking event on Wednesday.

The VCPN is a joint collaborative effort of KPMG Vietnam and the ICS Center, with active support from the Consulates General of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the Australia-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue (AVYLD).

The VCPN will be driven by ICS, a Vietnamese nonprofit that runs local and national inclusion programs for the LGBTI community.

KPMG Vietnam, the Consulates General of Australia, the UK, and the U.S., and AVYLD will provide ongoing strategic direction.

The network brings together corporate organizations to promote inclusive workplace cultures and initiatives where LGBTI people can be themselves and are valued in their places of employment.

At their first networking event in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday night, VCPN invited employees from several organizations to share the personal stories of working in inclusive workplaces that celebrate and promotes LGBTI diversity.

These stories were not just shared from the perspective of corporate leaders but also from employees who hope to inspire other companies to do more for employee welfare in their office spaces.

During the event, the network also announced the launch of their first official website, resources, and tool kits.

Speaking at the event, Paul Huynh, director of the People, Performance, and Culture group (PPC) at KPMG Vietnam, said that VCPN’s platform is now live and in need of feedback to help it improve.

“Anyone can visit VCPN.net to find out about all the upcoming events and photo galleries from past events, including tonight’s, as well as resources and tool kits for those starting the diversity journey," Huynh said.

"It is a work in progress and we will be continually updating."

Ngo Le Phuong Linh, ICS Center director, said that the establishment of VCPN is a big step in motivating and engaging Vietnamese companies because LGBTI inclusion in local enterprises is a relatively new concept.

“ICS has provided tool kits for businesses for many years," Linh told Tuoi Tre News.

"Thanks to VCPN, ICS can expand its network to connect more people.

"This network can motivate Vietnamese businesses to easily access a diverse culture of inclusion and LGBTI topics at the workplace."

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