Diversity, Belonging & Inclusion

The Intercultural Engagement and Learning Workgroup envisions a community where intercultural understanding thrives. We celebrate that culture is complex, dynamic, contextual and ever-evolving. Through active connection, service learning, and empowerment, we seek to influence NIST practices, fostering a richer, more inclusive community that embraces the beauty of diversity and builds lasting connections.

The focus of the Neurodiversity Workgroup is to raise awareness and comprehension of neurodiversity within the school community. Members of the group work towards fostering an understanding of the diverse nature of neurodiverse individuals and promote advocacy. The group strives to make the NIST campus and curriculum accessible to suit the needs of neurodiverse students, aiming to establish an inclusive and empowering school environment that nurtures neurodiversity advocates, and evolves along with the growing understanding of this concept.

The Ethnic Diversity, Racism and Prejudice Workgroup acknowledges the pervasive impact of racism and aims to learn how the social construct of race is perpetuated within individuals, groups, and systems both globally and locally. They commit to fostering awareness of personal biases and privileges, striving to eliminate racial prejudice, and aiming to confront power imbalances and promote inclusivity. The group seeks to enhance understanding of systemic racism, actively engaging in dismantling oppressive systems through racially inclusive measures. They promote ongoing self-awareness, and self-critique, and celebrate diversity while striving to counteract racism's influence in the community.

The Physical Ability and Mental Health Workgroup aims to examine ableism's intersectionality affecting both body and mind, exploring its impact on our community. The workgroup seeks to comprehend societal norms, systems and practices contributing to exclusion and discrimination against individuals with diverse abilities and health conditions. The group advocates for valuing varied experiences and promoting the rights and well-being of all students. They aim to create an inclusive community valuing mental health and diverse physical abilities and disabilities, recognising strengths and contributions. The goal is to develop anti-ableist policies, practices and attitudes, fostering support for students and staff with diverse abilities within the NIST community.

The Gender and Sexual Identity Workgroup's focus is on comprehending and safeguarding diverse gender and sexual identities within our school community. They aim to establish protective policies, address identity and equality challenges, empower members to address prejudice and promote inclusive practices.

The Faith and Tradition Workgroup focuses on exploring and supporting faith-based beliefs, religions, traditions, customs and spirituality within the NIST community. They aim to foster an understanding of the host country's cultures and create an inclusive environment where diverse traditions and beliefs are acknowledged and celebrated. The group seeks to enhance collective understanding of community identities and provide a safe space for dialogue, promoting attitudinal and environmental support for these freedoms throughout the community.

The Thai Connection Workgroup envisions a harmonious community that honours and elevates the voices of our Thai staff and faculty, celebrating the unique richness of Thai culture. We strive to foster meaningful connections between the host country community and expatriate members, bridging cultural understanding and mutual respect. Through an intersectional approach, we support each identity-based workgroup in upholding Thai cultural values, beliefs, and laws, strengthening a community where Thai heritage is both recognized and integrated into our shared journey.