The 5th bullet troubles me a bit, it doesn't really feel like it's addressing the question. Perhaps one of these approaches might suggest ideas to someone else:<br><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><p style="margin-left: 40px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">
<b>Aren't you doing this for publicity reasons only?</b><br>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></p><div style="margin-left: 40px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span lang="EN-US"><br><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">We are serious about the
initiative. We want Wikipedia to be recognized as World Heritage. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Among
Wikipedia's defining points is its openness. This initiative was
proposed by volunteers within one chapter, finally gaining global
discussion and agreement at the very highest level. From volunteer proposal to worldwide initiative, we believe that in doing this, the world
will recognize its digital resources, the immense cultural value of
knowledge, and the loss to all of humanity if suddenly, we had to return to a
world without them.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">
<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" lang="EN-US"></span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" lang="EN-US">Publicity also means public awareness of Wikipedia and free knowledge...</span><br>
<br><span lang="EN-US"><b><u>OR</u><br></b><br><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">We are serious about the
initiative. We want Wikipedia to be recognized as World Heritage. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">We
seek the awareness and debate that comes with this application. We
believe that the world should recognize its digital resources, the
immense cultural value of edifices of knowledge as well as stone, and
the loss to us all if suddenly, we had to return to a
world lacking them. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" lang="EN-US">
</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" lang="EN-US">
Publicity also means public awareness of Wikipedia and free knowledge...</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" lang="EN-US"> <br>The point being to emphasize it's a
grass roots initiative endorsed gradually by others worldwide.
"Publicity stunts" don't get that.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <br>FT2</span><br><span lang="EN-US"><br><br><br></span><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, May 30, 2011 at 1:39 PM, Michael Jahn <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:michael.jahn@wikimedia.de">michael.jahn@wikimedia.de</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">Hello everybody,<br><div class="gmail_quote"><br>media coverage of "Wikipedia for World Heritage!" increases and so do questions from the press. Many of them are likely to reappear time after time and internationally. Since Itzik and Ted asked for something like this, here is a preliminary draft of FAQs about Wikipedia for World Heritage that we adapted after the first media reactions came in last week. Maybe it is useful to share some basic external communication outline. <br>
<br>Please, feel free to improve and extend this draft! Let's work on this together.<br>
<br>Best <br>Michael<br><br><br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Why do you want Wikipedia to
be recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site? The UNESCO Memory of
the World seems more appropriate.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We are convinced that Wikipedia fits all three UNESCO
categories: World Cultural Heritage, Intangible Cultural Heritage and
Memory of the World. However, we want to start the application for World
Cultural Heritage precisely because of the underlying World Heritage
Convention. The Convention dates back to 1972. It refers to "sites" as
candidates for World Heritage in a completely non-digital context.
Enhanced meanings of the concept, like the possibility of a "website",
could not have been thought of back then. Those evolved later. Today
digital sites have a profound impact on all areas of interest. Culture
is one of them. Wikipedia allows for a global collaborative interchange
of knowledge. It is unprecedented and truly a "masterpiece of human
creative genius". These latter words are quoted from the first UNESCO
criterion for World Heritage recognition. It fits Wikipedia today and
had the free encyclopedia been what it is today in 1972, the World
Heritage Convention would likely have been composed differently. <br>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>It is very unlikely that you will reach your goal. What if you fail?</b><br>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">When Wikipedia came to life ten
years ago, most people deemed it impossible to create a valuable
encyclopedia that could be edited by anyone. The concepts of free knowledge and
collaborative amateur work seemed implausible. The critics have been proven
wrong. We believe that it is also possible to have the largest
collection of human knowledge recognized as a World Heritage. The formal application process
takes years. If we fail, it will be after years of careful
consideration and valuable discussions about the meaning that free
knowledge has in modern society.<br>
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"><br></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">World Heritage sites are meant to be preserved. What is it about Wikipedia that you think should be
protected?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Wikipedia
is the largest evolving collection of human knowledge. Its defining quality is
openness, the greatest good of free knowledge. We must secure free access to
Wikipedia in the future. <br>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>But Wikipedia's content is edited all the time! How could you preserve it?</b><br>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This is not about preserving the
content of Wikipedia in a specific state. What needs to be preserved is
access to free knowledge. Every single article can be edited or
deleted. This has been the core of the free encyclopedia from the very
start. It has enabled a level of participation beyond anything the
sharing of knowledge has ever known. We need to preserve Wikipedia's
open character and the unique possibility it gives humanity to
constantly improve and share in the sum of its knowledge.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Aren't you doing this for publicity reasons only?</b><br>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We are serious about the
initiative. We want Wikipedia to be recognized as World Heritage.
Publicity means public awareness of Wikipedia and free knowledge. Even
today many people do not know how to contribute to the free encyclopedia
or its sister projects. Increased public awareness means more
information. The more people discuss the projects and get interest in
details, the better. Wikimedia Chapters all over the world support the
global community with numerous activities and projects. </span><span lang="EN-US">We want to create awareness and acceptance for what Wikipedia really is.
It is more than just a convenient way to access tons of information for free.
Wikipedia is at the front of the free knowledge movement. We want to take the
chance and educate people regarding the concept behind Wikipedia.<br>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"><br>
</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Only ten years have passed since Wikipedia was founded. Is it not too soon to apply for World Heritage recognition?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The fact
that Wikipedia as a project is this young<b>
</b>makes its accomplishments all the more fascinating. Wikipedia is here to
stay. In only ten years Wikipedia has reshaped access to knowledge for millions
and millions of people all over the world. It is a pioneer of the digital age.</span> The ten year anniversary is a good opportunity to take a step back and
look at what hundreds of thousands of volunteers have achieved so far. <b><span> </span></b>A
perfect opportunity to take a look ahead, as well. What can we do to realize
our vision of enabling each and everybody to share in the sum of all
knowledge!? One answer is: Make people aware of the cultural impact Wikipedia
has. </p><span lang="EN-US"><span></span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal">
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Why apply to this particular institution, the
UNESCO?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The UNESCO
World Heritage agreement is the most successful agreement on the protection of
culture and nature that the international community has ever reached.<span> </span>187 countries have signed it. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Who is in charge of the project?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The international community. The idea
was developed in Germany, but this is an international project. All Wikimedia
Chapters are invited to participate. Many of them have already joined the
initiative.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Which UNESCO World Heritage criteria does
Wikipedia meet? </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Some,
e.g.<span> </span>"the site represents a
masterpiece of human creative genius". Meeting one is already sufficient
in theory. However, our main objective is rather to emphasize Wikipedia’s
overall cultural relevance.<span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">A petition has been started to support the initiative.
That’s not the formal way. Does Wikipedia also apply formally for World
Heritage status? </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Yes!
However, the formal process requires years of application via national states.
Right now a petition signed by people from all over the world wonderfully
represents the idea behind Wikipedia.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
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<br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Öffentlichkeitsarbeit<br><br>Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Eisenacher Straße 2 | 10777 Berlin<br>Tel. (030) 219 158 260<br>
<br>Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch freien Zugang zu der Gesamtheit des Wissens der Menschheit hat. Helfen Sie uns dabei!<br><br><a href="http://spenden.wikimedia.de/" target="_blank">http://spenden.wikimedia.de/</a><br>
<br>****Unterstützen Sie Freies Wissen mit einer SMS. Senden Sie einfach WIKI an 81190. Mit 5 Euro sichern Sie so die Verfügbarkeit und Weiterentwicklung von Wikipedia.****<br><br>Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e.V. Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg unter der Nummer 23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/681/51985.<br>
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</div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Öffentlichkeitsarbeit<br><br>Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Eisenacher Straße 2 | 10777 Berlin<br>Tel. (030) 219 158 260<br><br>Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch freien Zugang zu der Gesamtheit des Wissens der Menschheit hat. Helfen Sie uns dabei!<br>
<br><a href="http://spenden.wikimedia.de/" target="_blank">http://spenden.wikimedia.de/</a><br><br>****Unterstützen Sie Freies Wissen mit einer SMS. Senden Sie einfach WIKI an 81190. Mit 5 Euro sichern Sie so die Verfügbarkeit und Weiterentwicklung von Wikipedia.****<br>
<br>Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e.V. Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg unter der Nummer 23855 B. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das Finanzamt für Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/681/51985.<br>
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