EVEN brings together the Even Charter and the Even Code so organisations and individuals can describe identity with greater accuracy, dignity, and consistency.
A short overview of the Even mission and the Even challenge.
9x Bias Colour terms are not neutral. In common word associations, white is linked with positive meaning far more often than black.
Even Charter Articles The Even Charter sets out the principles and standards behind the EVEN mission.
Ethnic Groups Even Code is designed to recognise the world's many ethnic identities without relying on inaccurate colour-based labels.
Countries/Territories Even Code supports broad, structured coverage of global heritage and identity references.
Take the Even Challenge. For 24 hours, avoid using colour-based naming labels and notice how quickly language becomes more respectful, accurate, and thoughtful.
Take the ChallengeWelcome to EVEN, a pioneering initiative dedicated to fostering equity and unity through the power of inclusive and respectful naming practices. At the heart of our mission lies the Even Charter and the Even Code, which seeks to challenge outdated and divisive terminologies and replace them with language that celebrates individuality and honours cultural heritage.
We envision a world where names are not just labels but expressions of dignity, respect, and shared humanity. By moving beyond simplistic colour-based labels that perpetuate stereotypes and divisions, we aim to cultivate a global society that embraces the rich tapestry of human identity.
For generations, language has played a powerful role in shaping perceptions, relationships, and societal norms. Terms like "black" and "white" carry historical baggage and unequal connotations that hinder true equality. EVEN challenges these paradigms, providing a framework for respectful representation that transcends superficial labels.
The Even Charter is the result of countless iterations and refinements, reflecting our unwavering commitment to equity and justice. It not only dismantles the current racist colour-based naming paradigm but also lays the foundation for everything that EVEN stands for today. The principles outlined in the Even Charter serve as a guide for creating a more inclusive, respectful, and equitable world.
EVEN is more than a movement; it’s a call to action. Together, we can create a world where naming practices honour the diversity and complexity of human identity. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we strive to build a future where equity is not just an aspiration but a reality. Let’s move beyond labels and embrace identities that unite us. Together, we are EVEN.
Meet the co-authors of the Even Charter and co-founders of EVEN.
Andrew Hall and Luke Patterson are the co-authors of the Even Charter and cofounders of EVEN. Together, they lead the work on equitable naming conventions and inclusive dialogue.
With over 35 years of combined experience across Primary and Secondary education, their questioning of colour-based naming paradigms began more than a decade ago while teaching together at a British International School in Jordan.
A defining moment during an encounter in the Old City of Jerusalem crystallised their thinking and led to the foundation of the Even Charter.
Explore the diverse services we offer to promote equity, education, and collaboration.
A free and anonymous service for individuals to generate their personal identity code. In parallel, we advocate for governments and recruitment organisations worldwide to adopt the Even Code as a standard for equitable and accurate diversity monitoring.
Workshops designed to educate and empower teams on cultural sensitivity and equity.
Collaborative approaches to address and resolve cultural and societal disparities.
Interactive sessions focused on promoting unity and understanding through dialogue.
Large-scale events bringing together thought leaders to advance our shared mission.
A shared ethnicity coding standard, designed for consistent reporting and better understanding of ethnicity patterns.
The Even Code Issuing Service is a simple, standardised tool for generating a compact code that can represent up to five identity references, plus an optional skin tone and eye colour. It is designed to be easy to issue, easy to decode, and easy to integrate into existing systems.
Organisations that need a clear, consistent, and respectful way to capture identity information for reporting, safeguarding, service delivery, or operational workflows.
Use the Even Code Issuing Service to generate or decode an Even Code.
Start nowYou can also read the Even Charter.
Hear from people of action who have experienced the impact of the Even Charter, participated in one of our Even workshops, taken the Even Challenge, or embraced the Even Code:
Find answers to common questions about the Even Charter, its principles, and its implementation.
The Even Charter outlines principles and guidelines for achieving equity via equal naming. It rejects outdated, colour-based labels such as "black" and "white," advocating for a more inclusive approach to describing individuals based on geographical identity and heritage.
The Even Charter advocates replacing colour-based labels like "black" and "white" with terms that accurately reflect geographical and cultural identities, such as "African," "European,", "Scottish", "Caribbean," or "Asian." For instances where skin tone information is required for lawful purposes, it supports the use of the Even Code and the EVEN Skin Tone Guide to ensure fairness and consistency.
Additionally, the Charter addresses the use of terms like "political black" by some organisations. It encourages the adoption of labels that reflect the organisation’s values and causes, ensuring inclusivity for individuals who share their mission but may not identify with colour-based labels. This approach avoids unintentionally favouring individuals who align with the label but may not share the organisation’s goals or principles.
The Even Code is the operational heritage and identity framework of the Even Charter that includes up to five ethnic identities, the EVEN Skin Tone Guide, and the EVEN Eye Colour Guide, providing an inclusive alternative to outdated monitoring systems. Click here to see an Even Code example.
Accreditation under the Even Charter involves adherence to its principles and guidelines. Organisations can align their naming conventions with the charter's recommendations and participate in training and consultation provided by EVEN. This process ensures that their practices promote equity and inclusivity.
The Even Charter rejects colour-based labels because they are simplistic and often carry negative or positive biases rooted in historical and Western societal contexts. These labels perpetuate division and stereotypes. Replacing them with terms based on geographical and cultural identities fosters respect and equity.
"Equity Via Equal Naming" is the central principle of the Even Charter. It advocates for naming conventions that respect individuals' identities by using accurate and equitable terms rooted in their cultural and geographical heritage, rather than reductive colour-based labels.
Instead of using terms like "black people," the Even Charter recommends descriptors such as "African," "Nigerian," or "African-Caribbean," depending on the individual's heritage. Similarly, "white people" could be replaced with terms like "European," "British," or "German."
The Even Charter's global implementation involves collaboration with governments, cultural experts, advocacy groups, and communities. EVEN plans to promote awareness, provide training, and encourage the adoption of its principles through partnerships and pilot programs.
Yes, the Even Charter emphasises the importance of self-identification. Individuals should have the freedom to describe their ethnicity in their own terms rather than being confined to predefined categories.
The Even Challenge is a commitment made by individuals and organisations to uphold the principles of the Even Charter. By taking the challenge, participants pledge to promote equity via equal naming, reject colour-based labels, and adopt inclusive and respectful language in their practices and communications for at least 24 hours.
We also welcome your questions, feedback, and collaborations. Reach out to us to join the movement for equity and inclusivity.
Regal House, Twickenham. London. UK
info@iEven.org