We care about diversity at conferences and events because we want them to be better for everyone.
Sign the diversity charter to show that you care too.
All too often we see conference and event lineups full of the same or similar people, we don’t want that anymore. We want diversity.
Diversity refers to a wide range of visible and non-visible characteristics; it’s about valuing variety, welcoming a range of backgrounds and opinions and embracing the benefits that differences bring. We believe that a diverse set of people on stage and in audiences will improve events and will ultimately change the industries they represent for the better.
We know that it takes more effort to increase diversity at events and we will show our commitment to making that happen by signing this charter.
This charter is for event organisers, speakers, individuals, employers, sponsors and venues. By signing this charter, you are committing to highlighting where there is a lack of diversity at events and doing what you can to make things better.
Event organisers
You can make better events for your participants by working harder to create a more inclusive environment. By signing this charter, you are committing to seeking ways to create better events by increasing the diversity of the people on stage as well as in the audience. You can use these ideas to help you. Once you sign the charter, you’ll get a logo to add your website to show your commitment to diversity.
Event speakers, individuals, employers, sponsors and venues
Influence diversity at conferences by being mindful of who is speaking and what the conference is doing to promote diversity. By signing this charter, you are committing to encouraging event organisers to consider making events diverse, highlighting when they aren’t and helping where you can. (We encourage giving people the benefit of the doubt and working with them rather than calling them out publically)
Speakers
Choose not to speak at events that will not commit to creating diverse events.
Individuals
Choose not to attend and/or fund events that will not commit to creating diverse events.
Employers
Choose to not send employees to as audience members, speakers or panel members to events that will not commit to creating diverse events.
Sponsors
Choose not to fund events that will not commit to creating diverse events. You make sure you have a diverse range of people representing your organisation at events you sponsor.
Venues
Work with event organisers to ensure you are meeting diverse needs. Choose to not host events that will not commit to creating diverse events.
The most recent signatories
Michael May
// TODO London
Javier Gamarra
Alejandro Fernández
JSDayES
Jemima Gibbons
Social Media Launch Pack
Benjamin Mosior
Combat structural inaccessibility of events. Improve representation of and hold space for underrepresented groups in speaking slots and audience attendance. Maintain a welcoming atmosphere and enforce codes of conduct.
Mark Dalgarno
London Agilists
Provide a safe space for all participants
Welcome first-time speakers
Provide a range of session formats - not just 'expert' talks
Provide a gender-balanced speaker programme.
Encourage and invite speakers from under-represented groups to speak / participate
Chris Rowe
Rehumanise LTD
Diversity shouldn't need to be promoted, but we're just not there yet. Until then, I'll be pushing for it whenever and wherever possible.
… see who else has signed the charter so far
We will try to follow the lead of events like agile on the bench and provider a diverse set of speakers each and every time we host an event. We will reach out to the under-represented parts of our community and try to give them a voice. We will not tolerate prejudice of any kind.