Open University sponsor LGBT Award at The National Diversity Awards

For the third consecutive year the Open University (OU) will serve as a sponsor at the UK’s biggest National Diversity Awards.

The OU will join prestigious companies such as Sky, Transport for London and the Financial Ombudsman Service as sponsors of this year’s Positive Role Model awards. The OU will sponsor the LGBT category.

The prestigious black tie event, in association with Microsoft, showcases the work of those who have demonstrated their outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, inclusion and diversity in today’s society.

Rated by its students in 2012 as one of the top five universities in the UK for satisfaction, The Open University has taught more than 1.8 million students since it was established in 1969 and continues to promote social justice and opportunities for all.

Tony O’Shea-Poon, Head of Equality, Diversity and Information Rights at The Open University said: “We’re delighted to continue our association with the Diversity Group and the National Diversity Awards as it enters its third year.”

“One of the areas where the awards excel is their ability to bring people and organisations with different objectives and focuses together, recognising our unique differences and, even more importantly, our common desire to achieve universal human rights and dignity for all.”

“It is always a great privilege and a humbling experience to be amongst ordinary people who are achieving extraordinary results through their dedication and passion for social justice, equality and inclusion. These are values that are central to our mission at The Open University which makes our continued involvement with the National Diversity Awards an easy choice.”

Paul Sesay, founder of the National Diversity Awards, added: “Tony and his team work extremely hard to promote inclusion throughout their organisation. Their values and their passion embody everything which The National Diversity Awards stands for, and we’re honoured The Open University have committed to supporting the awards until at least 2016”.

The National Diversity Awards has previously received backing from celebrities including Stephen Fry, who hailed the event as “valuable” and said, “I am sure The National Diversity Awards will have nothing but a positive outcome for years to come”.

Human rights activist Peter Tatchell recently commented: “The National Diversity Awards are a wonderful celebration of the amazing individuals and organisations challenging prejudice and promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion. I’m proud to be a supporter.”