FOREWORD BY THE ZUBIN FOUNDATION

Diversity List (DL) is a groundbreaking and flagship initiative of The Zubin Foundation established in 2016. DL was created to increase the representation of underrepresented ethnic minorities on HKSAR government Advisory and Statutory Bodies (ASBs). The basic premise behind the establishment of DL was to address the stark systemic barriers that exist for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, which has resulted in a high prevalence of poverty and a disproportionate percentage of ethnic minorities who end up in elementary occupations. This has been amplified over the last fifteen months in Hong Kong.

The Government’s willingness to engage in increasing the representation of ethnic minorities has been impressive. Since 2016, The Zubin Foundation has put forward a total of 98 individuals on Diversity Lists. From this, the Government has appointed twenty-three candidates to serve on thirty-six government advisory committees. Of these, the majority have been women candidates, and there has been a diverse range of ethnicities appointed.

Besides boosting minority representation, Hong Kong’s ethnic minority youth now have inspiring leader role models in the community. Last year the HKSAR government increased youth representation on all government advisory committees by 15 percent, to include Hong Kong’s youth in policy-making. What is commendable is that four youth from the list of Diversity List 2019: Youth To Watch are currently serving on HKSAR government advisory committees.

This year, we launch Diversity List 2020: Women’s Voices, a list of smart, talented, passionate women who have the necessary professional skills and knowledge to serve on Hong Kong Government and Advisory and Statutory Boards. DL 2020 will support the HKSAR government initiative to increase the number of women representation on all ASBs from 34% to 35%.

We are delighted to be celebrating our fifth year with DL and we are grateful to Spencer Stuart for partnering with us since our start. We are grateful to the hundreds of people of ethnic minority over the past 5 years who have nominated themselves to be considered as DL candidates and to serve Hong Kong.

We commend the HKSAR government for enhancing the representation of ethnic minorities in ASBs and we encourage them to make use of this talented population, all Hongkongers, who wish to serve and build Hong Kong.

And lastly to our 24 candidates selected on Diversity List 2020: Women’s Voices, many congratulations. It is you who we celebrate today.

Warmly, ShaliniMahtani www.zubinfoundation.org