DEI Forum 2025: Prague to host Central Europe’s largest DEI conference

On Thursday, Oct. 2, Prague will host DEI Forum 2025, the largest international conference on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Central and Eastern Europe. The event, organized by OPIM, brings together business leaders, HR professionals, and policy experts from four continents to examine how global trends affect workplace culture and leadership practices.

The forum addresses growing uncertainty in corporate environments caused by international political shifts, economic pressures, and evolving social expectations. For attendees, the event offers practical strategies to manage workplace diversity and inclusion while fostering organizational resilience.

“We aim to provide insights that help companies and leaders navigate change with courage and persistence,” says Jana Tikalová, content director at OPIM.

DEI Forum 2025 features speakers from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, including Kurt Merriweather, VP Global Marketing at Workplace Options, Victoria Parra, Head of Hub Management at SAP, and Peter Mousaferiadis, CEO of Cultural Infusion.

Czech experts such as Irena Grimová of Citi, Rohitraj Pandey of SAP, and Martin Siebenhandl of LEGO Group will contribute local perspectives.

A highlight of the conference is an interview with Monlan Lama, a Buddhist monk from Nepal who manages a traditional monastery. In discussion with SAP Czech Republic’s Hana Součková, he will explore how monastic leadership principles can inform business management in Western organizations.

“This session adds a reflective dimension to leadership during uncertain times,” says Tikalová.

Major sponsors of the conference include SAP, Česká spořitelna, and LEGO Group, with additional backing from ČSOB, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Philip Morris, JDE, ČEZ, Plzeňský Prazdroj, and Albert. These partners provide both financial support and expertise, reflecting growing institutional investment in DEI initiatives across Europe.

The conference’s practical sessions aim to equip organizations with tools to handle DEI challenges that affect staff wellbeing, recruitment, and retention.

Discussions include how international policy changes influence corporate culture and employee support systems, which can indirectly impact workplace flexibility, relocation services, and integration programs.

The conference reflects broader international trends as companies increasingly prioritize inclusive leadership. Experts note that firms with robust DEI strategies often see improved employee engagement and operational performance, particularly amid political or economic uncertainty.

DEI Forum 2025 runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 2 at SAP’s Prague offices on Bucharova Street. Tickets are available online, and participants can access the full agenda and speaker profiles via the OPIM website. Organizers encourage early registration, citing limited capacity for in-person attendance.