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Diversity

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Saved by PBworks
on September 16, 2006 at 6:19:20 am
 

BarCamp has a history of being a geek event -- after all, it started out in Silicon Valley.

 

But just because its heritage lies in computing doesn't mean that its destiny is to inherit the traditionally homogenous culture that established an industry.

 

Rather, the future of technology and of culture, which BarCamp should be very closely tied to, is about diversity. And every event that our community has should endeavor to be as open, as inclusive and as accommodating as humanly possible.

 

It's not entirely clear how one achieves diversity, especially in an event that is anti-invite and open to everyone already. But let's be realistic: being open to everyone doesn't necessarily mean that you've created an inclusive or supportive atmosphere.

 

So, as a community, we should tackle this problem head on and develop strategies for increasing the core diversity of the BarCamp community. We're all responsible for how diverse and rich our events are; as a community, we're in the best position to do this better than anyone else.

 


 

Please leave your suggestions, experiences or links to external proposals or ideas.

 

  • Be more appreciative of aspects of events that help women feel more comfortable and welcomed
  • Go where women are and invite them -- too often, I don't find out about events (ones where I would have applied to speak and/or attended) until after they've happened
  • ...add your own

 

Resources

 

 

Ideas

 

  • The opening of Lisa Randall's Warped Passages starts with her complaining about scientific literature and how it failed to engage her. Any suggestions for ways to make web development more appealing to women would obviously help a great deal. Perhaps Bar Camp could ask women and other people what inspired them to become web developers, what would help etc work with an existing college or institution on the issue.

 

  • Bar Camp could help fund, or give to an existing, non-profit that brings I.T.-ish skills to cultures with low I.T. skills. Nigeria is part of one laptop per child for instance hence they will probably be putting out web developers in the near future similar to the way India does. Bar Camp could volunteer expertise or help create curriculum for schools that want to teach I.T. on a budget. For instance take some MIT open course ware and invent games and other simplified instructional materials for students in under-privledged schools and countries.

 

  • Most of the previous ideas have already been thought of and people are working on elsewhere.