O'Reilly European Open Source Convention - 17-20 October, 2005

Session
Gender in Open Source
Bernard Krieger, Research Associate, Cambridge University

Track: Open Society
Date: Tuesday, 19 September 2006
Time: 11:55 - 12:35
Location: Salon Memling
We outline the role F/LOSS plays in the current economic environment of European and worldwide software industries. Whereas the European Union is still at the forefront of F/LOSS production F/LOSS women within EU member states seem to be even less represented than in all other geographic areas worldwide (such as North and Latin America, Asia or Africa). Our recommendations are developed in line with the F/LOSS value system and social dynamics. This means that rather than telling the F/LOSS participants what they should change in order to increase the share of women in this field our approach focuses on the measures that can be undertaken by the European Commission (and / or other governmental institutions) to support the community and its members to integrate more female participants. Only activities that are accepted within the community of F/LOSS participants (male and female) will prove effective in their potential to change the current situation.