OSM Foundation Diversity Statement
Adam Hoyle
Public
Seen by 49
The OpenStreetMap Foundation has recently[1] adopted a Diversity Statement[2].
As the UK local chapter we’d like to get feedback from our community that we can pass on to the Foundation.
If you are not in support then you can provide feedback here which we will pass to the Foundation or if you prefer you can communicate directly with the Diversity working group[3] or via the Diversity mailing list [4]
Here is the Diversity Statement:
The OpenStreetMap Foundation and the global OpenStreetMap community welcome and encourage participation by everyone. Our community is based on mutual respect, tolerance, and encouragement, and we are working to help each other live up to these principles. We want our community to be more diverse: whoever you are, and whatever your background, we welcome you.
[1] https://blog.openstreetmap.org/2020/02/08/openstreetmap-welcomes-diversity/
[2] https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Diversity_Statement
[3] https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Board_Committees/Diversity_and_Inclusion_Special_Committee
Poll Created Sun 23 Feb 2020 2:33PM
Do you support the OSM Foundation's Diversity Statement Closed Mon 2 Mar 2020 6:02PM
The result is a broad level of support, with a few good points raised. I will forward these points on to the OSM Foundation Board and the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Thank you very much to all those who replied 🎉
Results
| Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Support as is | 90.0% | 9 | |||
|
|
Ok but with proposed edits (please specify) | 10.0% | 1 | |||
| Do not support | 0.0% | 0 | ||||
| Undecided | 0% | 0 |
10 of 10 people have participated (100%)
Anonymous Sun 23 Feb 2020 3:27PM
I don't personally understand the problems yet and would love to find out, and increase the size and breadth of the community.
Anonymous Sun 23 Feb 2020 5:02PM
I support this as it is, on the basis that any pro-diversity statement is better than none, but I think it's missing some important points. It says that OSM wants a more diverse community but not why! And it also fails to say clearly that diversity is good, and that discrimination is also bad.
I would suggest, for example, adding a new sentence between the second and third sentences like "We believe that the greater the diversity in our community, the better OpenStreetMap will be."
Anonymous Mon 24 Feb 2020 11:41AM
It's a sad comment on life today that this is even necessary. Also a policy statement is merely a set of fine words which will remain empty without an action plan and without an enforcement procedure. There are also some viewpoints which are not worthy of respect or tolerance; e.g there's none for fascists or racists
Anonymous Mon 24 Feb 2020 9:14PM
I also agree with the comment about adding a sentence explaining why.
Regarding the comment about not wanting certain viewpoints: see the difference between legal discrimination and illegal discrimination. The latter being race, gender, etc.
Adam Hoyle Sun 19 Apr 2020 6:44PM
Hi @RobJN (Director) yes indeed - as you allude in your message, the pandemic means life has been challenging over the last few weeks and I've not had the time or headspace to send a message out, which is very remiss of me. I will make sure I send a message to the diversity mailing list collating the key feedback from our members tonight.
RobJN Sat 8 Aug 2020 10:47AM
I've added text to this Loomio group and to our homepage to reflect the outcome of this poll (i.e. that we support the diversity statement).
RobJN · Sun 19 Apr 2020 5:11PM
Hi @Adam Hoyle (Director). I am not sure I saw anything sent to OSMF Board or DISC based on this. Perhaps I missed the email as I have been particularly busy over the last 6 or 7 weeks.