In our professional journeys as well as in our personal commitments, rejection is often seen as failure. Yet it can also be a mirror — one that reflects not only our limitations, but also our possibilities.
Organizing the 2025 edition of the International Day Against Harassment and for Inclusion in the Workplace was no easy task.
Not because we didn’t know how—it was already our fourth edition.
The main challenge? The absence of public funding.
Because organizing an event of this scale takes more than goodwill — it requires resources far beyond the capacity of an association like Rezalliance, which runs solely on its members’ contributions.
This is a reality faced by many nonprofit organizations: the ideas are there, the expertise too. Despite the absence of public funding, we move forward thanks to strong collective energy and deep commitment. Because some causes deserve to be held onto, even when the path is full of obstacles.
By persevering, we discover that what once looked like a closing door is in fact a window opening — a window to a freer, more aligned, and more courageous version of ourselves.
Sometimes, it is rejection that triggers a deeper shift: a redefinition, a new momentum.
That’s why it’s essential to learn to welcome “no” not as a dead end, but as an invitation — to reposition ourselves, to rethink our path, to reinvent ourselves.
This is the insight that compelled me to step back, reflect, and write about what really happened behind the scenes of the 2025 #24May edition.
I wish you an insightful read.
🌍 The 4th edition of the International Day Against Harassment and for Inclusion in the world of work, organized by Rezalliance in partnership with FER Geneva, was intense. Intense in preparation, in emotions, in encounters.
A six-month marathon: bringing together speakers, coordinating moderation teams, convincing partners, securing financial support, following up, persuading again. All while keeping our day-to-day activities running.
Yes, it was exhausting. Yes, there were moments of doubt.
But the results speak for themselves 📈:
- A twofold increase in registrations compared to previous years: 160 people attended in person on a Friday afternoon, and 130 joined the webinars.
- Rarely deep and meaningful conversations, led by genuinely committed, inspiring, and moving individuals.
3 webinars and 6 speakers.
This year, we redesigned the online format: fewer speakers, more time for ideas to unfold and for real dialogue. To address time zone constraints (we spanned 4 continents), presentations were pre-recorded and broadcast on the event day, followed by live discussions with the audience. A new format to engage the public differently.
5 sessions in-person and 15 speakers.
- Three 45-minute conferences with audience Q&A.
- Paired conversations (speaker + moderator) allowing for a smoother flow of ideas and genuine dialogue.
- A live practice-sharing session, featuring three experts — including two HR Directors — presenting their hands-on experience with Rezalliance’s tested and validated solutions.
- A roundtable with key stakeholders: ILO, IOE, and Travail.Suisse, whose engagement is essential to advancing workplace dignity and inclusion.
- Notable addresses by Arnaud Burgin, General Director of FER Geneva, and Stéphanie Lachat, Co-Director of the Swiss Federal Office for Gender Equality, set the tone for a day rooted in commitment and reflection.
There were also profoundly emotional moments.
- An opera interlude — no microphone needed — created a suspended, resonant experience beyond the auditorium walls.
- An artistic and educational exhibition offered a contemplative pause throughout the day.
And to think it almost didn’t happen…
Once again this year, the International Day Against Harassment and for Inclusion in the world of work was organized without any financial support from public authorities.
This raises serious questions, especially given that the event gathered employers and employees, experts and researchers, NGOs, citizens, and major employers’ and workers’ federations — a rare, truly cross-sector moment.
Far from discouraging us, the lack of funding reaffirmed our choice to rely on self-financing to maintain our independence and pursue our public-interest mission.
We met the challenge with creativity and the solidarity of a few private sponsors. We covered the essential costs. So there were no hors d’oeuvres, no wine — but Swiss chocolate (of course)… and above all, meaning, quality, depth, and authenticity.
I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, logistical partners, Rezalliance members, the moderation team, and the speakers for making the success of this 4th edition possible.
Thanks to all of you, we once again offered a unique platform to raise awareness and promote best practices for respectful, equitable, and thriving work environments.
Together, we proved that a clear and just vision always finds a way. Fueled by the strength of collective effort, it lights the way and touches hearts in ways we hadn’t even imagined.
In the end, what should we take away from all this?
- Rejection is not an end — it’s a redirection that pushes us to clarify our vision, refocus on what matters, and make more conscious choices to reinvent ourselves.
- Independence is a strength. It comes at a cost, of course. It demands more effort, more creativity. But it allows us to move forward with integrity, without ever compromising our values.
- You can do great things without extravagance. No massive budget, but a high standard for content quality and the intelligence of the conversations. And that’s what participants truly appreciated.
- Agility is a valuable skill. Adapting formats, turning constraints into levers, testing new approaches… and discovering they work even better than expected.
- An engaged collective can move mountains. Sponsors, volunteers, partners, speakers: it’s their involvement that made this edition possible.
- Emotions leave lasting imprints. The precision of the speeches, the blend of art and pedagogy, the sincerity of the testimonials… Moments like these transform the way we see work and human relationships. As Maya Angelou so beautifully put it: “People will forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
The marathon ends with joy, surrounded by people deeply committed to a shared cause: caring for our most precious asset — our humanity. I speak more about this in my talks, available on YouTube, including the opening and closing addresses.
📌 See you in 2026 for the 5th edition.
Joëlle Payom
Founding President – Rezalliance
P.S. Want to join the adventure as a sponsor, speaker, or partner? 📧 contact@rezalliance.com
📽️ Find all the videos from this edition and previous ones on YouTube.👉https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY2zaC9ERfD79GR0ubPXnqg
Discover some participants’ feedback in these posts: