On the Symfony blog they've posted an update about recent advancements in their diversity initiative. They share a few different updates, resources and changes that have been made to help improve the overall diversity of the community around this popular framework.

Updates included in the post cover:

• Respectful Review Comments (a guide on writing them)
• Mentorship program
• Code of conduct and enforcement process
• Context and Slack discussions
• New slack channels

The post ends with a few "final words" from Lukas Kahwe Smith about another initiative that's been started to help improve the representation from specific groups in the Symfony community and ecosystem.

On the Engine Yard blog there's a new post written up by Elizabeth Smith talking some about the mentoring of PHP developers and how being both a mentor and a mentee is a good thing for you and your development life.

Some believe programming is a science, with well-defined rules that if properly followed always give you the same outcome. Some believe programming is engineering, practical application of some kind of pure science such as math. I personally feel programming is a craft. That word often makes people blink a few times, especially those steeped in logic. Craftsmanship means applying specialized knowledge with skill in a practical manner.

She goes on to apply more of the ideas of "craftsmanship" to development work. She notes that she is where she is today because of the people that took the time to mentor her and guide her towards being a better developer. She talks about the networking options mentoring can provide as well as the official PHP Mentoring project that she helped to found.

At the end of the day, I don’t work because I have to, I work because I want to, because I need to improve the technology that people use every day. The tools and techniques used today won’t be the ones used 20 years from now, so I don’t believe in holy wars over languages, operating systems, or coding standards.

The PHP Women group has celebrated their second birthday this past Friday (October 24th) and have seen tons of progress of women in the PHP community during that time. This includes:

• Representation at conferences
• Continued success with our Big Sis Mentorship Program
• Growth in our IRC channel
• Formalizing our non-profit status
• Encouraging women to submit CfPs and to be published

So stop by wish them a happy birthday and see what they're all about!