There is something wrong with models that are barriers to inclusive decision making. Systems that look down upon the 3 most crucial and also surprisingly undermined groups in society. ( Women , Young people and the minority communities) Somehow in our very society today lurks this unconscious mindset that some people do not belong in the most fundamental pillars of decision making.
It is no secret that change occurs when decisions and actions are made - this decision making process is influenced by those who not only choose to speak up but those who are in the end heard.
It is time for these 3 most crucial groups to start participating in the Main Industries that influence the Global Economy. These industries include some of the most technical sectors which lack a representation of these groups , industries Like The Oil & Mining Sector , Manufacturing , Agriculture, Transport , High Tech and Big Data
"As emerging markets continue to look to infrastructure improvements to further their own growth, access to improved technology and manufacturing processes continues to grow in importance."
Hence Participation of young people and Women is critical to this growth.
1.Women
For so long women have been and are still being pushed towards the traditional frameworks like service sectors. Previoulsly more than 90% of the women who used to enter the Manufacturing backbone industries filled predominately female jobs in the service industry. Most Professional and Managerial occupations from 1997 were oocupied by white and Asian men. There are many industries where it is still a "good-ol' boys' network" it is important for women to consider how far we have come in legislative changes - and how far we have to go. While Women´s paychecks are still not equal to thoese of men, today Women are starting Businesses and they are also staying in Business. It is important that women are engaged and influencing decisions in top industries vs being stuck in predominately female jobs.
2. Young People
With the retirement age rising to 67 by 2026-28, young people will soon work for 50 years or more according to the guardian.
The millennials are a very crucial part of the Economy. There is this bias that they are the leaders of tomorrow vs the leaders of today. In many technical oriented fields , young people are sometimes likely to be looked down upon due to lack of experience in the traditional sense . UNICEF outlined some of the challenges youth face as inequality , lack of mutual trust and respect and lack of representation. Yet, I believe because of the different mindset, ethical foundation and experiences - this group should be fully engaged in shaping the world today.
Although the nature and meaning of leadership can be debatable. There is no doubt that there is a slow shift away from top-down, hierarchical styles of leadership, towards participatory and inclusive leadership styles. Hence there is already that push to keep highlighting the need to include young people in Business and political decisions.
Mohammad Imran (CEO, Muslim Youth Helpline) sees young people as critical to innovation and social change - because their understanding and perspectives are often more flexible than those of older people. Similarly, Lars Lægreid (Director, Prosjektdesign, Norway) maintains that what makes youth leadership potentially powerful is that young people:
3. Minority Groups / Races
Recognising and involving minority groups and races in a community's decision-making processes should be more than engaging them for the sake of inclusivity. The economy and the world at large should be defined and shaped by more than just the dominant white men - for it to be sustainable and representative of the global economy.
"It is crucial that Women, young people & minority groups/races participate in the decision making of the backbone industries of the Economy"
Article on The Millennial Sphere