Rhonda D'Vine

The start of the Diversity Team was triggered by a discussion after debconf16, to create visibility for the diverse development base and make it clear that the Debian people wants to be a welcoming environment. Let's sit together once again to talk about things where we see the potential to improve on that grounds and find ways to pull through with that. People of all backgrounds are very welcomed to join in on the discussion, especially people that have a background of being often enough overlooked in general approaches of what a stereotypical developer is.

It would be nice to sit together once again to share some text that moved you, that touches you, speaks to your heard. Regardless whether written by yourself, a poet you admire, whether it rhymes or not. I hope the interest is there - please get in contact with Rhonda beforehand so she knows if it actually makes sense to hold it due to enough contributions.

About previous debconf Poetry events, Rhonda wrote: "During debconf12 in Nicaragua, we met in a bar and had some poetry. It was a great idea that inspired to have one during debconf13 in Switzerland next to the campfire, which also gave it a great ambience. debconf15 in Germany also had one at the “stonehenge” place, unfortunately there was a concert scheduled at the same time, so the idea sort of faded away" At previous online debconf20, there was a nice poetry evening, organised by Rhonda. (Video at https://meetings-archive.debian.net/pub/debian-meetings/2020/DebConf20/48-debconf-poetry-night.webm ). Let's do one again this year. If you'd like to participate, contact me (joostvb@d.o, joostvb on IRC) and I'll give you instructions and access to the live event. As Rhonda wrote: "Let’s bring back some written thoughts that are moving."

Other people: Andrew Martin Adrian Cater urbec Joost van Baal Laura Arjona Reina

For some, talking about diversity within the development community seems to be not part of what Debian is about, and that is Free Software. In this BoF we want to discuss how diversity within the community actually is enhancing and moving forward the project more than assumed, and how different live circumstances actually can lead to different views on how to approach things and thus also stir more creative approaches, for the benefit of all.

During debconf12 in Nicaragua, we met in a bar and had some poetry. It was a great idea that inspired to have on during debconf13 in Switzerland next to the campfire, which also gave it a great ambience. debconf15 in Germany also had one at the "stonehenge" place, unfortunately there was a concert scheduled at the same time, so the idea sort of faded away ... It would be great to try it once again. I've been personally approached by several people that would be interested to give it another try. It would be great if people that want to present something can contact me beforehand so that I know about the amount of poetry (self written, something you relate to a lot with potentially some personal remarks, ...) we will have, to see if we can lift this off again. Let's bring back some written thoughts that are moving.

For some, talking about diversity within the development community seems to be not part of what Debian is about, and that is Free Software. In this BoF we want to discuss how diversity within the community actually is enhancing and moving forward the project more than assumed, and how different live circumstances actually can lead to different views on how to approach things and thus also stir more creative approaches, for the benefit of all.

Federated social networks are a user-centered alternative to the centralized, data-collection based ones everybody knows. From their beginnings as a place to talk about federated social networks, they have now grown into a rich environment And thanks to the efforts of the DebianSocial team, Debian contributors can find a home on the Fediverse to share what they're doing in the project and to showcase their work, collaborate with others and share knowledge. This talk will start with a presentation about the federated social networks, what they look like today and why they are important and relevant to the Debian community, and will continue with a presentation of the work of the DebianSocial team.

Other people: Elena ``of Valhalla'' Grandi

The Diversity Team was officially found in April but has been around for longer, in the spirit of the Diversity Statement. This session aims at figuring out how to improve the visibility of our already diverse community and how to improve on that grounds. The session will also be a chance to meet people from the local Grupo Dignidade, which organizes and offers infrastructure for LGBTI+ groups to connect and improve the situation of queer people in Brazil. They will speak about their approaches to increase the safety for minority groups, and offer insight into their work.

A BoF especially targeted at DebConf first timers, from DebConf old timers. What to expect, how to communicate effectively, how to get the most from this experience. This has been done at DebCon15 and DebConf16 before, was received well but unfortunately wasn't continued - and noticed to be lacking during last year's DebConf. So .. here we go again. :)

Last year's two sessions on this topic showed that there is a fair amount of interest in pursuing the topic of being more inclusive and welcoming to underrepresented groups within the Debian community. The aim of the yet-to-be-formed diversity team should be to offer a contact point to exchange and connect various groups. The main principle is based on intersectionality. We'll start the session with a name and pronoun round where people can also shortly say what they specifically are interested in, and we'll form the topics and schedule from there on. This session is meant to offer a safe space for attendees, and thus no recordings will be kept to not out people accidentally against their will. Also this means that all attending parties are expected to discuss in a non-discriminatory way and reflect on when they are told that some wording was not okay. In the hopefully unlikely case that a participant's actions make others uncomfortable they will be asked to leave. That includes nosy questions that question other people's identity.

During the Debian Diversity Round Table it was agreed to have an aditional BoF to continue to discuss the topics. :)

At the end of last year's debconf I was approached if I wouldn't like to start a group within Debian for LGBTIQ+ people, to hang out with and exchange ideas how to increase diversity and acceptance within the project. This session is meant as a get-together to discuss where we are, what we might want to gain out of the group and what we can do to make that happen.

A bof especially targeted at DebConf first timers, from DebConf old timers. What to expect, how to communicate effectively, how to get the most from this experience. This is a repeat of talk by Enrico Zini (enrico), and Francesca Ciceri (MadameZou) at DebConf15, which was my first DebConf. When I learnt they will not be coming, I asked to repeat the talk on their behalf as I found it very useful. You can see their talk here: https://summit.debconf.org/debconf15/meeting/170/new-to-debconf-bof/

Other people: Bernelle Verster