UITP Diverse Panel Charter

Who is the Charter Intended for?

To multiply the impact of UITP’s policy, UITP member organisations and individuals are invited to sign the charter, committing to organising and participating in diverse panels.

By signing the Charter, the public transport sector worldwide will be more inclusive of the female perspective, and more attractive to women. This is crucial as the sector badly needs to attract and retain talent at all levels, and build public transport networks that are better suited to the needs of the men and women.

For Organisations

Diverse panels provide richer debate, a variety of perspectives, and are more likely to connect with a wider audience. They are more representative of the society that the public transport sector seeks to serve.

As an organisation active in the Public Transport and Urban Mobility sector, we recognise the added value of organising and participating in diverse panels.

As a signatory of the UITP Diverse Panel Charter, we commit to:

• Ensuring that all panels organised by us are not exclusive to any one gender
• Encouraging all staff members to refuse to speak on panels which are not gender diverse
• Ensuring diversity in the experts put forward to speak at events

And because diversity is not just about gender:

• Striving to ensure diverse panels in terms of ethnicity, race, age and/or other diversity aspects

For Individuals

Diverse panels provide richer debate, a variety of perspectives, and are more likely to connect with a wider audience. They are more representative of the society that the public transport sector seeks to serve.

As an actor in the Public Transport and Urban Mobility sector, I recognise the added value of organising and participating in diverse panels.

As a signatory of the UITP Diverse Panel Charter, I commit to:

• Ensuring that all panels organised by me are not exclusive to any one gender
• Refusing to speak on panels which are not gender-diverse
• Promoting colleagues with diverse backgrounds as panelists wherever possible

And because diversity is not just about gender:

• Striving to ensure diverse panels in terms of ethnicity, race, age and/or other diversity aspects

They Support Our Charter

Organisations and individuals worldwide are signing the UITP Diverse Panel Charter to foster more inclusive and representative voices in public transport.

Corporate Signatories

Individual Signatories

Public transport commits to improving diversity

Diversity improves performance and innovation, helps to attract and retain talent, improves employee satisfaction and helps build a stronger brand and reputation. These undisputed facts present at challenge to the public transport industry which is systemically lacking in diversity: for example, estimates are that only 22% of the transport workforce is female.

In 2019, UITP introduced a policy on gender diversity, aiming to increase the participation of women in the activities of the Association. Prior to this, activities were not even achieving the industry baseline of 22% participation from women.

General

• Consider defining and publish your own diverse panel policy (feel free to adapt UITP’s policy – see “Resources” section below)
• Join national or regional initiatives!

When Organising Panels

• Make the gender policy clear from the beginning e.g. specifying in the call for papers or when reaching out to potential speakers;
• Specify a target percentage of women you want to reach ;
• Avoid relying on one woman per panel in case of cancellations;
• Reach out to UITP, your national association or other resources (see “Resources” section below) for suggestions of women speakers;
• Fill your programme with women first. Once you have women in each panel, add the men.

When Invited to Speak on a Panel

• When accepting, make it your policy clear immediately

Example: Thank you for the speaking invitation which I would like to accept. However, please note that, as a signatory of the UITP Diverse Panel Charter, I only participate in gender diverse panels. In case of any issue, please let me know and I will gladly suggest women experts on this topic

• Check regularly with the organiser as per the composition of the panel;
• (For men) if faced with a men-only panel, consider delegating your place to a female peer or colleague with similar expertise.