Attending GHCI 2024 felt like stepping into a vibrant celebration of diversity and empowerment. As a Diversity Associate at FOSS United, representing our community on such a big stage was both a privilege and a learning experience.
FOSS United booth at GHCI 2024
The conference began with a dinner party for speakers and partners, and it immediately set the tone for connection. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the conversations were genuine. I had the chance to meet members from AnitaB.org and hear firsthand how their work has been empowering women in tech to build confidence and discover new opportunities. It was the perfect introduction to what lay ahead.
The next morning, on 21st November, the energy was unmistakable. The buzz of conversations, music, and people mingling created a unique vibe that made you want to dive right in. At the FOSS United booth, I worked alongside Ansh and Paranav from OASIS. It was a busy day filled with engaging discussions with attendees who were curious about FOSS and eager to learn more about our mission. Sharing our values and explaining the work we do was incredibly rewarding.
With our partnership, we also got a chance to bring a few people from our community to the conference. We decided to focus on girls and women from JTD Foundation and Navgurukul, knowing they could benefit greatly from this experience. Meeting scholarship recipients was one of the most heartwarming parts of my experience. Around 130 individuals from Navgurukul and 20 from JTD had made it to the conference through scholarships. Listening to their stories and understanding the impact of these opportunities was a powerful reminder of the difference even small efforts can make. Their excitement to be part of something so big was contagious.
I met several women who were interested in joining the FOSS community. Talking to them, I felt they already had a wealth of knowledge and ideas that could greatly benefit our community. I shared how they could get involved, and it was exciting to imagine the perspectives they could bring.
The exhibition hall was another highlight. It featured booths from orgs I didn’t even know existed. Some focused on accessibility, creating opportunities for differently abled individuals, or developing tools for inclusion. Few booths who worked to amplify the voices of women and nonbinary people or support their career growth. I found these initiatives inspiring. It was also striking to see the conference’s inclusive approach, and they also had male participants there, who they called allies, which I thought was a nice touch.
One of the things that stayed with me was the sheer number of women at the conference. Many of them were eager, curious, and determined to explore their potential in tech. Comparing this to events like IndiaFOSS or other conferences I’ve attended, I couldn’t ignore the gap in female and nonbinary representation in the FOSS community. I took every opportunity to invite them to our conferences and events, encouraging them to bring their voices and ideas to the table. Even though I didn’t get to meet many of the speakers, the attendees I interacted with were equally inspiring and left a lasting impression.
Of course, no event is without its challenges. The conference faced a few logistical hiccups limited food, inconsistent chai and coffee, and water shortages at the hydration stations but these were minor compared to the overall experience. The energy and enthusiasm of the participants more than made up for these inconveniences.
FOSS United Volunteers at the booth at GHCI 2024
On the second day of conference, the momentum continued as I worked with Vishal and Abhishek at the booth. The conversations were just as enriching, and by the end of the conference, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and connection. GHCI 2024 was more than just an event, it was a reflection of how diversity and inclusion can transform communities. For me, it was an opportunity to connect with incredible people, learn from their experiences, and share what FOSS United stands for. I’m excited to carry these insights forward and continue building a more inclusive and vibrant FOSS community. also AnitaB.org has a lot of potential to help other orgs/conf diversify their conferences with voice but also with presence.
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