Only every fifth participant of the world economic forum in Davos is a woman. While female role models are urgently needed, in order to achieve more equality in politics and the economy.
“I wanted to make a Statement.” If Marin is reported by Alsop in Davos, she is visibly proud of. The conductor directs typically the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, but the opening of the world economic forum (WEF) conducted it on his own request, an extra put together, all-female orchestra. “It was fascinating. And you have seen, there are three bassist were inside,” she says enthusiastically in an interview with DW.
Alsop continues for many years for more women in orchestras. The classical music is still very much a male domain. The American was the first woman who heads a major U.S. orchestra. It is also promoting for many years, young Conductor with a own program, the “Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship”. Equality is a concern. It is important that young women have female role models in leadership positions. In the music, but of course also in other areas, she says.
Crystal Award for diversity
The conductor was awarded in Davos with the Crystal Award by the world awards economic forum of personalities from the culture, particularly for sustainability and diversity.
Conductor Marin Alsop in conversation with Manuela Kasper-Claridge
Alsop noted, however, that to the diversity at the Meeting of the elites in Davos still need to be worked on. The Forum is still dominated by men. Only about one-fifth of the participants are women and this number has increased since the previous year, only one percent. Claim and reality diverge. “The theme reflects the reality,” is Alois Zwinggi, Managing Director of the world economic forum cited, somewhat sheepishly in an Interview. Because the WEF has to be said that most of the leadership positions, whether in business or politics, is still in Men’s hands.
Models wanted
Ann Cairns, Vice Chairman of Mastercard, a financial services company with over 11,000 employees, is not satisfied. “We demand a visible role models,” she says, and “equality is not a fad”. She is the highest-ranking woman in the case of Mastercard and is used for many years to the world economic forum.
At Mastercard, we work hard to make the recruitment process is gender neutral. “We want to cover the entire spectrum of diversity,” stresses Cairns. “How do we get women? How do we get minorities or the LGBT Community?” Female trainees are more likely to be obtained if the guide rollers were already visibly occupied by women.
This is also the strategy of the WEF. “95 percent of all Panels with three or more participants male and female participants,” according to Oliver Cann from the communication Department. This is actually progress, because a few years ago, discussions were usually occupied exclusively by men.
“The fact that women are represented at the WEF, is an incredibly important Signal for the economy,” says Julie dough, country Managing Partner at EY Germany, Switzerland and Austria. “But I think that it is a process, not overnight that can happen. To enforce the participation of women in the Forum, now would be the right way, and the same is true for the economy.”
Julie dough, country Managing Partner at EY
Unofficial Trails
Quite a different ways forum several companies and initiatives throughout the global economy. Outside of the long-range safety zone organize their own events on the topic of equality. ‘The Equality Lounge, a warmly decorated Lounge, in the talk during the WEF for three days of Top speakers in front of a predominantly female audience. The mood is cheerful, the discussions hard. “Why diversity should be a business objective,” or “How do we make gender norms into question” – issues that would have made good in the official program of the WEF.
Julie dough to the land of EY, it’s more than just the pay ratio between women and men: “We need leadership that reflects the diversity of our society. I am optimistic and think we are on the right way to get women to give more of a voice. I hope that equality will be at the WEF in a few years no longer an issue, but simply a Problem of the past.”