Dear free knowledge-loving friends,

The Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa is now accepting session proposals [1]. This is an opportunity to represent the work of Wikimedians and how important it is to support and advance internet freedom in the region.

This annual event gathers policymakers, regulators, human rights defenders, journalists, academics, private sector players, global information intermediaries, bloggers, and developers. It will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on September 27-29, 2023, and offers a platform to discuss how to advance privacy, free expression, inclusion, free flow of information, civic participation, and innovation online. This year will mark a decade of hosting the landmark event in various African countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia.

African Wikimedians have recently participated in major regional and international fora such as the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum, and RightsCon. You can learn more about their experiences here [2] and the types of sessions that they hosted here [3].

Although the Foundation cannot support attendance, if you have the means to participate, I highly encourage you to look into joining the event.

All the best, Ziski __ [1] https://cipesa.org/2023/06/submit-your-session-proposal-or-travel-support-ap... [2] https://diff.wikimedia.org/2023/06/01/takeaways-from-digital-rights-and-incl... [3] https://diff.wikimedia.org/2023/05/25/wikimedians-will-be-at-rightscon-2023-...