We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive RIPE Meeting where all attendees feel welcome to participate fully. We support or organise several initiatives that aim to make it easier for people from underrepresented groups to take part in a RIPE Meeting. Here is a summary of our diversity and inclusion efforts:
RIPE Diversity Task Force
This group of volunteers formed in May 2017 at RIPE 74 in Budapest. The TF meets on a regular basis to work on a list of actions aimed at increasing diversity at RIPE Meetings, including gathering gender metrics, on-site childcare, reaching out to local communities, and improving the RIPE Meeting Code of Conduct.
More information: RIPE Diversity Task Force
Women in Tech Session
This open, inclusive session has been a popular event since it was added to the RIPE Meeting agenda at RIPE 75 in Dubai. The session aims to raise awareness and find solutions for some of the pressing issues facing women pursuing a career in tech.
We want as many men in the room as possible. A more inclusive and diverse workforce benefits everyone and we can’t make progress without critical mass. We hope you will join us to celebrate the work of women in the community and discuss challenges, solutions and share best practices.
On-Site Childcare
This initiative aims to make it easier for parents in the RIPE community to participate fully in a meeting. We partner with professional childcare organisations to provide a safe, fun and diverse play space at the RIPE Meeting venue with a programme that changes daily. Childcare is available for children ages 6mo-10yo.
More information: On-Site Childcare
RIPE Meeting Mentoring
Mentoring is a really easy way for experienced RIPE Meeting attendees to share their knowledge and experience with newcomers. During the registration process, attendees can indicate whether they would like to volunteer to be a mentor or to be a mentee. We match mentors with mentees based on what their interests and areas of expertise are. The time commitment is fairly light; an email from the mentor to the mentee before the meeting to understand goals/expectations and a couple of coffees or short meetings throughout the week to check-in.
More information: RIPE Meeting Mentoring
RIPE Fellowship
The RIPE Fellowship aims to remove the financial barrier to attend a RIPE Meeting by funding a full-week meeting ticket, travel and accommodation for selected candidates from the RIPE NCC service region.
More information: RIPE Fellowship
RIPE Academic Cooperation Initiative (RACI)
RACI connects members of the academic community with the RIPE community by inviting students and researchers to present their Internet-related research at RIPE Meetings, ENOG, MENOG and SEE meetings. We fund a full-week meeting ticket, travel and accommodation for selected candidates from the RIPE NCC service region.
More information: RACI
Diversity Tickets (new!)
Do you want to help the next generation of RIPE community members fully participate in a RIPE Meeting? You or your organisation can become a Diversity Ticket sponsor and fund up to three meeting tickets to help attendees from underrepresented parts of the tech community come to a RIPE Meeting.