[LA-Policies] Diversity / Social Inclusion Policy

[David Lloyd]

Given the recent discussions - rancorous or otherwise - about the
opening of events, it strikes me that there is no obvious diversity or
social inclusion policy. It's touched on in code of conduct but that's
more of a "behave yourself you fools" statement.

 

There are a few obvious groups who are missing in computing in
Australia, in general, and perhaps open source communities in Australia.
For example, in Australia there's a close balance between the number of
women and men but one could hardly argue there's the same balance in the
computing communities in Australia. To be honest, in all my time working
in computing I don't think I've ever seen an Indigenous person working
in any part of the IT industry and I don't think I'm that sheltered.

 

Should Linux Australia simply encourage itself and other organisations
to have diversity and social inclusion programmes? Or take one step
further and require them for sponsorship? Should that be on a case by
case basis? Might it make sense to prefer sponsorship of programmes that
have diversity / social inclusive programmes, all other factors being
equal?

 

Does the current debate highlight the need to address issues of equality
and other social issues in a more comprehensive manner?

 

I wonder.

 

--

David Lloyd

http://www.validlyodd.net/

 

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