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Note from the Chief Editor

Building Bridges & Fostering a

Culture of Belonging!

Dear Readers,
I hope you had a wonderful Diwali celebration with is being invited to the dance.
your family and loved ones. It’s December, when we Inclusion is being asked to
all look forward to the joyful festivities of Christmas dance. Equity is being allowed
and the New Year. In this spirit, I wish you abundant to choose the music.” Cynthia is
love, joy, hope, and success as the festive season known for her insightful quotes Punam Sharma
enriches your lives. on topics like diversity and Chief Editor, Internal Audit Today
inclusion, emphasising the importance of creating
This season, our theme is Diversity, Equity and equitable environments.
Inclusion(DEI), a vital foundation for fostering
thriving workplaces and successful businesses. DEI In this edition of Internal Audit Today, I hope
plays a significant role in promoting social cohesion you find engaging and informative content that
and cultural development. As we explore ways to offers diverse perspectives on enhancing value
enhance our organisational culture, integrating DEI within internal audit. From unique insights of
into our core values is essential for making a positive industry experts about internal auditing, building
impact. Think of organisational culture as water; it strong banking relationships to data analytics
requires continuous effort and attention to achieve and the importance of DEI in digital marketing,
the right balance and flow, just as we must do with there is something for everyone. We also explore
DEI. the evolution of internal audits in a hybrid work
model, the creation of inclusive cultures through
The importance of DEI is increasingly recognised mindfulness, and real-world examples of how
among candidates and employees alike. As I read companies integrate DEI into their practices.
in a post recently, three-fourths of job seekers Additionally, we touch on the importance of finding
and employees consider DEI a major factor when life balance, longevity and prioritising wellness for
choosing a company or employment. the mind, body and spirit.

DEI serves as a powerful catalyst, enhancing We bring you what’s been happening at IIA India
every facet of our work and has the potential to since our last edition and a brief on what’s in store!
significantly influence overall outcomes. With all the
excitement and frenzy surrounding DEI, I urge us all I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all
to reflect on the pitfalls of promoting it merely for our contributors whose insights and expertise have
appearances. If treated as just a checkbox activity, its significantly enriched the content of this publication.
true value is undermined. Your dedication enhances our discussions and
helps us provide valuable resources to our readers.
DEI functions at a mindset level, subtly influencing We are thrilled by the valuable contributions from
our environments. It resembles a creeping vine the student forum. Additionally, I would like to
that grows unnoticed, potentially obstructing the thank our editorial and design teams for their hard
progress of surrounding plants. We have the choice to work in bringing this edition together. Your efforts
nurture its growth or allow it to become unwelcome. are truly appreciated!

A recent news report highlighted that Foxconn, an We are grateful for your support and trust that
Apple supplier, instructed hiring agents in India who you will enjoy this edition filled with industry
were recruiting iPhone assembly workers to remove knowledge, wisdom, wellness, and a touch of
age, gender, marital criteria, and the manufacturer’s humour to brighten your day!
name from job advertisements. An earlier
investigation allegedly found that Foxconn’s Indian Happy Reading!
hiring vendors excluded married women from jobs
at its India iPhone assembly plant, contravening Punam Sharma
Apple and Foxconn anti-discrimination policies.

I love how Cynthia Olmedo, a career enthusiast,
eloquently articulates the essence of DEI: “Diversity

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