>> My own feeling is that if we were to find that the >> numbers supported the notion that there's bias >> present in the system we probably couldn't do anything >> about it without tearing the organization apart, so, > > Is there a way to increase #countries #small companies #women etc? Be > it about the participants or the leadership. Could we set a goal that > we'll increase some aspect every year, 2014 to be better than 2013? > IMO we can do many thing about it, if we discuss these issues into an I-D. - There is a way to increase #women when they decide together as a group what is missing, and what should be done, - There is a way to increase #small companies when they are accepted/involved in IETF WGs documents. If individuals are encouraged then SMEs will be as well, - There is a way to increase #countries/states when each have their accepted access to the IETF WG system. I may suggest that each WG system to not only have two chairs, but also 5 administrated participants (for each continent, they may give chance to SMEs access and new I-Ds) that should look into the implementation/running-code of the IETF WG standards in real life. They can look into countries/states challenges/involvement in such work of the WG, to be documented if available. Countries will only increase-in/use IETF if their SMEs are using IETF systems. Now it seems that there are influences/directions from the industry/countries to IETF WGs' work but not seen/clear to others. For women, I think there must be at least 10% of women in the IETF leadership, as we should not ignore that many research/SMEs in industry are directed by women. They should publish an I-D related if they are interested. Is IETF still directed by men or both? AB