Lloyd’s List reported that an internal document of Cargill, a grains and agricultural trader, ‘the Inclusive and Diverse Speaker Guidelines’ commits the US’ largest privately-owned company to assemble panels and speaker line-ups that are gender diverse.
Specifically, Lloyd’s List addresses that the company’s 160.000 employees will be able to participate as keynote speakers, panellists or moderators if the speaker line-up will have the proper gender diversity.
Because of the prohibit, the company didn’t take part in panels at corporate levels and in its Ocean Transportation division.
Jan Dieleman, head of Ocean Transportation, noted that the policy is part of highlighting the need to create equal environments where diversity is embraced.
It is important for us to give a strong signal to start changing. We want people to challenge themselves to really do things differently.
… Jan Dieleman stated.
In addition, Joe Cook, Cargill’s spokesman noted that the company decided on a new speaking policy.
Cargill will work with event organisers to achieve gender parity by putting forward diverse talent.
Mr Dieleman, who’s on the advisory board of the Global Maritime Forum, stated that many are those that find it difficult to maintain diversity in speaking panels, since they prefer the safety of the same group of talent.
Furthermore, Mr Cook is to consider to place diversity as a priority feature when conducting an event sponsorship.
Demetha Sanders, Cargill’s global inclusion and talent leader acknowledged 50% parity was a big goal but stated that they would manage.
Finally, Cargill Ocean Transportation, as a member of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association, aims a 10% rise in female representation globally by 2020 based on 2015 numbers.
In 2017 it saw a drop in female representation and it is still compiling numbers for 2018.
