The impact of authenticity cannot be understated when it comes to fostering a culture of inclusion, especially in the age of rapid technological advancements.
This was one of the points that Professor Lily Kong, President of SMU shared at “Inspiring Inclusion in a fragmented world”, a panel hosted by BlackRock Singapore in celebration of International Women’s Day 2024.
The panel discussion on 6 March 2024 was a timely and important conversation which explored the impact of fragmentation on societies and economies, offered insights on approaches to foster inclusion, and discussed how leaders play a critical role in promoting diversity.
The distinguished panel was moderated by Ms Deborah Ho, BlackRock’s country head of Singapore and regional head of Southeast Asia. The panellists were Prof Kong, Ms Tan Su Shan, group head of Institutional Banking at DBS; and Ms Png Chin Yee, CFO of Temasek.
Building bridges in an era of unprecedented change
The theme of “inspiring inclusion” reminds us that gender equity is not just about breaking barriers, but is also about building bridges, Ms Ho explained as she opened the discussion.
“It is about creating a world where everyone is included – is valued, respected, and most importantly, noticed. Inclusion is not about fairness only. It is also a catalyst for innovation, for progress and economic prosperity,” she asserted.
“When we include women in all aspects of society, we unlock a treasure trove of talent, creativity and potential. We foster an environment where diverse perspectives thrive, leading to better decisions and making more sustainable solutions as well.”
During the discussion, the panel highlighted the increasing fragmentation in the world today, arising from factors, such as economic disparity, cultural divides and the divisive rhetoric that has seen a resurgence in the global political arena.
The panel also shared their thoughts on how the advancement of technology has transformed the way we communicate and interact with the world and brought about new ethical dilemmas. The impact of Artificial intelligence (AI) was also discussed during the panel, for both its ability to empower processes as well as the eroding of trust that results from deep fakes and misinformation becoming more widespread.
The advancement of technology has also impacted women in the workplace. “Studies show that in technology mediated settings, women participate less,” Prof Kong shared, going on to highlight the importance of institutionalising practices that help to bring out diverse voices.
“Technology doesn’t necessarily make it easier for women to actively participate, so we do need to intentionally introduce practices to encourage people to speak up.”
The role of allies in empowering women
Following the lively conversations during the panel, each panellist went on to share their professional journeys that have led them to the positions they hold today.
During this candid sharing, panellists shared how they were oftentimes plagued by hesitation – whether due to imposter syndrome or a lack of confidence – when opportunities came their way.
Despite these moments of self-doubt, they ultimately chose to embrace the opportunities that come their way.
Reflecting on her journey in academia, Prof Kong shared how her mother’s support was instrumental in enabling her to embrace the opportunity to pursue her studies overseas. She also made the point that women play a critical role in inspiring inclusion – by empowering and enabling other women to take risks when presented with new opportunities.
Prof Kong concluded her story on an encouraging note, emphasising the power of collective inspiration and support, “You make these decisions, supported by other women who will tell us to just go and take that step.”
