The DPC Community is guided by the values set out in the organisation's Strategic Plan and aims to be respectful, welcoming, inclusive and transparent. It encourages diversity in all its forms and is committed to being accessible to everyone who wishes to engage with the topic of digital preservation. With this in mind the DPC has now published its Inclusion and Diversity Policy, setting out clear commitments to supporting the healthy growth of the digital preservation community as a place where all are welcome and invited to contribute.
Communities that fully embrace these values are shown to be more effective, innovative and stronger. As the DPC Community continues to grow and diversify, we acknowledge the need to clearly state the fundamental expectations of how that community will function to support and encourage all of its members.
Speaking of the importance of this document, DPC Executive Director William Kilbride said:
We have worked hard over the years to make the DPC community a welcoming and friendly place. We hope we have succeeded but we cannot ever take it for granted. We've had a period of unprecedented growth in the last year, including international expansion. So it's the right time to formalise, through this policy, our commitment to each other, ensuring our community continues to be respectful, welcoming, inclusive and transparent. This policy is a promise and a process to make sure that these values are folded into everything we do.
The DPC welcomes comment and feedback on the policy from the community and it will be regularly reviewed to ensure it remains relevant and useful.
The Inclusion and Diversity Policy is available to all on the Policies page of the DPC website.