ACM Global Engagement Board: Vision and Mission

The Association for Computing Machinery is launching the Global Engagement Board to bridge gaps in regional computing access. Computing is a global science, yet access to infrastructure, resources, and professional opportunities remains uneven. This new board is the direct outcome of a 2024 Presidential Task Force, which gathered data from members to identify specific regional barriers.

The board aims to support computing professionals regardless of their geographic location. It will focus on advancing inclusivity, increasing regional participation, and strengthening the connections between academia and industry. By generating on-the-ground insights, the board intends to make ACM’s global strategy more responsive to the needs of its diverse membership.

Board leadership is composed of representative experts from regions including Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Europe. These regional committees are tasked with connecting with existing local organizations and fostering partnerships. The board does not aim to centralize all efforts, but rather to act as a connective layer that allows ideas and resources to flow across the ACM ecosystem.

This initiative prioritizes the concept of belonging within the computing community. The leadership emphasizes that practitioners should not have to depend on a limited set of resources to grow their careers. By adapting membership models and expanding multilingual support, the board works to ensure that professional development opportunities are distributed more equitably.

ACM members and volunteers are encouraged to contribute to this effort. The board is currently seeking input from the community to guide its future initiatives. Those interested in the strategy or regional updates can find more information on the ACM Global Engagement Board webpage.