Welcome to the Translocating Inclusion Blog: Exploring Inclusive Practices and Policies Across an Interconnected World

Without a doubt, we live in a world that is now more than ever inextricably interconnected in terms of the movement of ideas, goods, capital, and people. Indeed, the world in which we live is one where one can be in community with friends, family, and colleagues from across the globe. It is no longer novel for members of a team at an organization to work simultaneously on a project from home in San Francisco, a local office in Manhattan, a satellite office in London, and their South Asia office in Mumbai. Whether in corporate, nonprofit, or education multi-locational and cross-national border crossings are taking place within and across organizations daily. As such, it should be no surprise that in our interconnected world, local actions often have far-reaching implications. What may seem like a routine decision in one location can send ripples across regions, industries, and communities—sometimes in unexpected ways. 

Welcome to the Translocating Inclusion Blog, a platform that goes beyond the surface of news-making events to examine the deeper, often overlooked connections between locally-based inclusive policies, practices, and programs and their global consequences.

Inspired by Arjun Appadurai’s concept of translocality, the Translocating Inclusion Blog is dedicated to thoughtfully reflecting on how localized practices, especially those relating to inclusivity, equity, and justice can have outsized impacts far beyond their immediate context. Our goal is to offer a nuanced analysis that helps professionals and organizational leaders navigate the complexities of inclusion in a world where borders are more fluid, yet challenges persist.

Why Translocality Matters for Inclusive Practice

At the core of this blog is the understanding that inclusive practice cannot be confined to one place, sector, or culture. Inclusive practices—whether in the form of corporate policies, community programs, or government regulations—are not created nor do they exist in isolation. The decisions made in a boardroom in New York, a legislative office in Johannesburg, or a school district in Kyoto can all have reverberations that shape the experiences of people thousands of miles away.

This blog uses translocality as its main compass for navigating our understanding of global issues. Translocality, as conceptualized by Arjun Appadurai, challenges us to think beyond geographical boundaries. It invites us to explore how the local and the global are intertwined, and how actions in one locale can shape and be shaped by practices and policies elsewhere. In recent years, we have seen firsthand how progressive policies in one place can inspire transformation across the globe, while the backlash against inclusive practices in another can trigger widespread setbacks. 

For example in 2023, Spain implemented an expansion of its parental leave policy that offers equal paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers, increasing paid leave for each parent from 16 weeks to 20 weeks. This significantly pushed for gender equality while challenging traditional gender roles by encouraging fathers to take on more caregiving responsibilities. By setting this example, Spain's reform has reinvigorated discourse around gender-balanced parental leave policies across Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, and East Asia. Notably, corporations with global footprints like Microsoft and Unilever are actively reevaluating their local and global parental leave policies.

Conversely, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed in India in 2019 grants fast-track naturalization for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians who fled to Hindu-majority India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan before Dec. 31, 2014 but excludes Muslim refugees. Global reverberations of India’s exclusionary policy have included local protests that initially delayed its implementation until recently, strained diplomatic relations, and increased scrutiny from international bodies such as the UN. But most significantly, this exclusionary posture has arguably emboldened other countries with nationalist tendencies to adopt or consider more restrictive immigration and citizenship policies; especially in Europe where far-right movements are gaining momentum. In 2024 we have seen such suggested policies front and center in national elections in France and the United States and in recent riots in the United Kingdom. The implications of such policies and their reverberations for nonprofit and migrant rights organizations cannot be overstated.

What You Can Expect from the Translocating Inclusion Blog

Our blog will serve as a hub for reflection, discussion, and critical analysis. Translocating Inclusion will aim to delve into the intricacies of translocal phenomena, shedding light on the ways in which localized policies—especially those concerning inclusion and equity—affect other contexts. Whether it’s a new corporate diversity initiative, a shift in immigration policy, or an educational reform, our focus will always be on the broader implications for inclusive practices across different locations.

Thoughtful Analysis, Not Just Commentary

An unwavering commitment to thoughtful reflection is a key feature that sets the Translocating Inclusion Blog apart. We endeavor to hone in on what might appear to be a benign, localized policy that could have significant translocal reverberations across industries, social movements, or communities elsewhere. We are here to make those connections and unpack their wider implications generally and in the global south especially..

Expert Perspectives Across Disciplines

We will learn from experts, scholars, and leaders from diverse fields—economics, sociology, public policy, and business—to pull together a well-rounded perspective on how inclusivity is practiced, challenged, and redefined across various contexts. Our blog will highlight the intersectionality of issues and their far-reaching impacts on communities often left in the periphery of social policies and practices.

Inclusive Practices Across Borders

The research on the importance of inclusive practices to the success of teams and organizations is well documented. To that end, organizations that prioritize leveraging the innovative potential of diverse teams have doubled down on inclusion Indeed, for those organizations, inclusivity is increasingly central to their organizational development strategies; this is especially true for organizations with a global footprint or that operate in locations where world cultures converge. That said, we know all too well that what works in one context may not necessarily translate smoothly to another. The Translocating Inclusion Blog will offer insights into how organizations and leaders can approach inclusivity with a translocal mindset—one that acknowledges the fluidity of culture, people, and ideas across borders while honoring local peculiarities.

Key Areas of Focus

Local Policies, Global Impacts

We will always ask questions like, how might a municipal housing policy in Berlin affect housing markets and inclusive development elsewhere? How could a shift in labor laws in Mexico and labor organizers in that context influence corporate hiring practices in the Americas and beyond? By looking at such examples, we aim to show how inclusive practices are inextricably linked across locations.

Nonprofits and Human Rights

Grassroots nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in advancing human rights and promoting inclusive practices across communities and nations. The Translocating Inclusion Blog will explore how nonprofits are leading the charge in addressing issues like racial justice, gender inclusion, migrant rights, LGBTQ rights, religious marginalized groups, etc.. For example, we will ask how localized efforts by grassroots nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the Philippines working with poultry farmers are influencing global human rights movements. We will also remain critical of the local impact of multinational nonprofit organizations on global south grassroots organizing.

Educational Equity

Education is arguably one of the most powerful drivers of social inclusion, yet access to quality education remains uneven across the globe. The Translocating Inclusion Blog will delve into examples of how localized educational reforms—such as initiatives to bridge the digital divide or efforts to promote inclusive curricula—are having a transformative impact far beyond their immediate regions. We’ll also highlight instances where backlash against inclusive practices aimed at addressing educational inequities has led to wider societal setbacks, exacerbating inequality across borders. Our focus will be on how educators, policymakers, and institutions can foster educational equity, ensuring that all students across all social categories can have access to the tools they need to succeed in a globalized world.

Effective Translocal Corporate Inclusive Practice

In today’s global economy, companies are increasingly expected to implement inclusive practices that transcend borders. We will explore how businesses navigate the challenge of maintaining consistent equity and inclusion policies across different cultural and regulatory landscapes, and how localized actions—such as a new hiring practice or reporting requirements in one region—can influence corporate strategies worldwide. For example, The Translocating Inclusion Blog will ask how can companies operating in Uganda implement inclusive policies that are supportive of LGBTQ rights in ways that resonate and are well received not just locally but across their global operations. How might a diversity initiative launched in one country set a precedence for other regions while failure to address inclusivity in one market can lead to reputational damage and setbacks in others?

Why This Blog Matters for Leaders and Professionals

For professionals and organizational leaders, understanding the translocal nature of inclusive practice is essential for navigating today’s interconnected world. Whether you’re leading a multinational corporation, managing a community initiative, or organizing grassroots movements aimed at shaping public policy, the actions you take are likely to have implications far beyond your immediate surroundings. And, occurrences beyond your control and purview are likely to influence how your work is perceived and experienced by your closest constituencies.

The Translocating Inclusion Blog is designed to provide the insights and perspective you need to recognize and respond to these connections. Our content will help you anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and craft inclusive strategies that are both locally sensitive and globally informed. In so doing your teams and/or efforts will be more effective.

Join the Conversation

As we embark on this journey of exploring translocal inclusion, we invite you to engage with us, share your thoughts, and contribute to the conversation. Inclusive practice is not a static concept—it is dialogic and ever-evolving, shaped by the dynamic interactions between local and global forces. Together, we can better understand how to foster inclusion that resonates across locations.

Thank you for being part of the Translocating Inclusion Blog. We look forward to exploring the benefits of translocal inclusivity practices with you, and to helping you apply these insights to make a meaningful impact in your organization and beyond.