Hello Wikimaniacs,
Some past Wikimanias have negotiated with local transport companies for
discounts. I wonder if any has been negotiated with Via Rail for travel to
Montreal from other parts of Canada?
Deryck
Hi all,
Librarians and open access advocates in our community might be interested
in the Public Knowledge Project conference, which is happening right before
Wikimania in Montreal! (along with Debconf, Digital Humanities 2017, and
many more). (For those unfamiliar, the PKP is a project to build an open
platform for publishing scholarly journals and conferences.
https://pkp.sfu.ca/pkp2017/index).
Phoebe
*From:* scholcomm-request(a)lists.ala.org [mailto:scholcomm-request@
lists.ala.org] *On Behalf Of *Alison Moore
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 05, 2017 12:00 PM
*To:* pc-l(a)lists.purdue.edu; scholcomm(a)lists.ala.org;
scholcomm-carl-l(a)listserv.uottawa.ca
*Subject:* [SCHOLCOMM] Register now for PKP 2017
Dear colleagues,
The Sixth International PKP Scholarly Publishing Conference
<https://pkp.sfu.ca/pkp2017/index> is in just under one month, and we
couldn't be more excited!
If you've already registered, we're looking forward to seeing you soon. If
you haven't yet registered, it's not too late! We still have a few
available spaces: click to register now
<https://pkp.sfu.ca/pkp2017/schedConf/registration>.
Still undecided? There are so many great reasons to join us August 2 - 4,
2017 in beautiful Montréal:
- Check out our newly updated conference program
<https://pkp.sfu.ca/pkp2017/schedConf/program> to see the complete list
of dynamic lightning talks and awesome speakers;
- Meet new people: We've organized a number of informal and fun social
events so you can reconnect with colleagues, chat with potential
collaborators, or make new friends;
- There are still a few rooms left at the special conference rate
<https://pkp.sfu.ca/pkp2017/schedConf/accommodation>, including the
especially affordable $45/night;
- Summertime is festival season
<http://montrealgazette.com/tag/montreal-festivals> - need we say more?
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.
Hope to see you soon!
-Ali, on behalf of the PKP 2017 organizing team
--
Alison J. Moore, MLIS
Librarian, Research Commons & Digital Publishing
Simon Fraser University
ajm30(a)sfu.ca | 778-782-5344 <%28778%29%20782-5344>
I was not asking wmf or anyone other than the applicant to publish the
details. If the applicant is ok then they can publish. Again things that
you guys consider privicy sensitive may not be privacy sensitive to others.
It maybe a cultural difference or unawareness. For example Third question a
stranger asks you in my country would be what's your salary ;). So it's
upto the applicant.
On 04-Jul-2017 6:17 PM, "Levon Azizian" <levonazizian(a)gmail.com> wrote:
I support what Lodewijk told. This information may be collected only by WMF
staff who signed a contest that this info will not be shared with anyone,
otherwise than just statistics without personification. Personal data
protection is a very important issue.
Levon
2017-07-04 15:41 GMT+03:00 Lodewijk <lodewijk(a)effeietsanders.org>:
> Please don't. This is privacy sensitive information that might actually
> hurt people in future visa applications (for example, in another country).
>
> If you want to collect such info, I suggest you get someone with the
> proper privacy clearance with the WMF to collect it, and analyze it.
>
> Lodewijk
>
> On Tue, Jul 4, 2017 at 2:39 PM, Shanmugam Pachamuthu <
> shanmugamp7(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> If it's ok with everyone, can we update this
>> <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:TPS/Wikimania_scholars#2017_WMF_Wiki…> table with
>> visa status (Approved, Rejected, In progress)?
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jul 4, 2017 at 5:16 PM, Béria Lima <berialima(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Out of how many people who tried for a visa from those countries?
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jul 3, 2017 14:09, "Jayanta Nath" <jayantanth(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> As per latest update: from India 4 Indian, 3 Armenian and 3/2 African
>>> rejected.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Jayanta Nath
>>>
>>> On Mon, Jul 3, 2017 at 10:34 PM, Dhaval S. Vyas <dsvyas(a)gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Can we please not keep this thread dedicated to the discussion that the
>>>> subject suggests? What European medias has shown and what any individual's
>>>> belief for any country of the world could be fun to discuss on social media
>>>> where more people can join. These kind of personal views can hurt feelings
>>>> of citizens/residents of those countries.
>>>>
>>>> This thread started with the issues faced in getting visa to this
>>>> year's Wikimania, let us stick to that please.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Dhaval
>>>>
>>>> On 3 Jul 2017 17:18, "DaB." <wp(a)dabpunkt.eu> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hello,
>>>> Am 03.07.2017 um 04:41 schrieb Asaf Bartov:
>>>> > DaB.: Wikimania has already been held in a military dictatorship
>>>> (Egypt,
>>>> > 2008), without particular problems.
>>>>
>>>> that’s not a reason to repeat the mistake. If you held an event
>>>> (especially such a big one as the Wikimania) in a dictatorship, you
>>>> support this dictatorship. You support the suppression of free speech
>>>> and other human rights.
>>>>
>>>> And cs, just to quote enwp:
>>>>
>>>> “Since May 2014 Thailand has been ruled by a military junta, the
>>>> National Council for Peace and Order, which has partially repealed the
>>>> 2007 constitution, declared martial law and nationwide curfew, banned
>>>> political gatherings, arrested and detained politicians and anti-coup
>>>> activists, imposed internet censorship and taken control of the media.”
>>>>
>>>> The conflicts of the yellow- and the red-shirt-people were so bad you
>>>> even got reports in European news-programs on TV, and so was the
>>>> conflict of the Preah Vihear Temple. So please try not to fool me.
>>>>
>>>> Thailand is surely a great country, but it has many problems
>>>> (dictatorship, civil uprisings, corruption, police-corruption, high
>>>> number of deaths on road traffic, and so on) that makes it unsuitable
>>>> for a conference.
>>>>
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> DaB.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Wikimania-l mailing list
>>>> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Wikimania-l mailing list
>>>> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Wikimania-l mailing list
>>> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Wikimania-l mailing list
>>> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Thanks & Regards,
>> Shanmugam Pachamuthu.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Wikimania-l mailing list
>> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimania-l mailing list
> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
>
>
_______________________________________________
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I am hearing news about visa rejections from Armenia and Africa.
On Jul 2, 2017 1:02 AM, <wikimania-l-request(a)lists.wikimedia.org> wrote:
> Send Wikimania-l mailing list submissions to
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>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Visa rejections (Mardetanha)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2017 00:01:42 +0430
> From: Mardetanha <mardetanha.wiki(a)gmail.com>
> To: "Wikimania general list (open subscription)"
> <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
> Cc: Daniela Gentner <daniela.gentner(a)wikimedia.de>
> Subject: Re: [Wikimania-l] Visa rejections
> Message-ID:
> <CAN6NyNqLLVVQ0bonEQBj=ygxmZmVtSc15SBU-=-Rj7Ks30kPvA@
> mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> today I found out another wikimedian from Iraq was also rejected because of
> "purpose of trip", I highly believe this stem from our invitation letter
> which is from WFM not a local entity. why should an American foundation
> invite someone to Canada ?
> it would be great if others could update us about their visa situation
>
> Mardetanha
>
> On Tue, Jun 27, 2017 at 5:27 PM, Cornelius Kibelka <
> cornelius.kibelka(a)wikimedia.de> wrote:
>
> > Hello all,
> >
> > While preparing the report for the last Wikimedia Conference (which we
> > will publish on Friday), Daniela Gentner, our logistics coordinator, has
> > written a detailed learning pattern about how to support participants in
> > getting a (German) Schengen visa for the Wikimedia Conference. While it
> is
> > certainly focused on German processes, many steps and tips are applicable
> > by any organizer in any country.
> >
> > https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Learning_patterns/Timing,
> > _Communication,_Preparation:_How_to_support_your_event_
> > participants_in_the_best_way_to_get_a_Schengen_Visa
> >
> > Maybe this is could be a good start to collect resources and material
> > around this topic for future events.
> >
> > Happy reading & sharing,
> > Cornelius
> >
> >
> > On 27 June 2017 at 02:49, Pine W <wiki.pine(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> The creation of one or more learning patterns could be good here. Please
> >> see https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Learning_patterns.
> >>
> >> Pine
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sun, Jun 25, 2017 at 11:07 AM, Ellie Young <eyoung(a)wikimedia.org>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I think the centralized place on meta is a great idea so we could put
> >>> tips, samples, and maybe even an 'advice line' for people who might be
> able
> >>> to help someone in a particular region. If someone wants to start
> this
> >>> I'd be happy to add, edit, etc.
> >>>
> >>> Ellie
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 5:47 AM, Amir Ladsgroup <ladsgroup(a)gmail.com>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> As a person who missed three events because of rejection of visa (one
> >>>> Wikimania, one Wikimedia Hackathon, one WikiArabia) and missed two
> other
> >>>> because couldn't event get an appointment with the embassy
> (DevSummits) I
> >>>> want to share my experience here. There is three parties involved in
> this
> >>>> case:
> >>>>
> >>>> - Participants:
> >>>> -- If you are going to another country that has strict visa rules,
> you
> >>>> should be prepared and know what can go wrong. Usually make a group of
> >>>> people who are more experienced in Wikimedia events and ask them for
> help.
> >>>> This helped me in some events to get visa without trouble. One case I
> >>>> remember was when the invitation letter was from WMF and not the local
> >>>> chapter. It caused rejection of visa before me and once I knew it, I
> fixed
> >>>> it.
> >>>> -- Be prepared for other options. For example, for Esino Lario one of
> >>>> my friends missed the event because he couldn't get appointment with
> the
> >>>> embassy, when I knew this is a problem, I tried the German embassy
> and got
> >>>> the visa ready in time. (Per Schengen laws, you need to make requests
> to
> >>>> the country you will stay the most, so I stayed in Germany for 11
> days and
> >>>> Italy for 8 days to make things legal)
> >>>> -- If you have an interview to justify your visa, definitely mention
> >>>> Wikipedia. People don't know what WMF is but all know Wikipedia and
> have
> >>>> positive feelings.
> >>>> -- I know it's hard but let go sometimes: I decided not to go at this
> >>>> year's Wikimania just because the visa process is horrible and I need
> to
> >>>> travel to Turkey at least twice. Even though I know I miss a great
> event
> >>>> but let's hope to meet them soon.
> >>>>
> >>>> -WMF:
> >>>> -- I know WMF is busy but I mentioned this several times to legal,
> >>>> support and safety and some other teams. People like me have problem
> going
> >>>> to events and there should be support for them. Two things were
> always said
> >>>> and I don't know why it's not being done, 1- Prepare a centralized
> place
> >>>> (probably in meta) so people share experience to help newbies to get
> visa
> >>>> documents right. I have seen lots of problems in the documents my
> friends
> >>>> need to prepare for the visa and helped them to get it right before
> it gets
> >>>> rejected but I had to meet them in person and it's an exclusive club
> of
> >>>> people I know. I want to open this knowledge to others.
> >>>> -- The other option I always mentioning is support for getting one
> >>>> multiple entries visa instead of getting one visa for each event,
> This is
> >>>> very true for European events. This would make life of lots of people
> way
> >>>> easier.
> >>>>
> >>>> Local chapters:
> >>>> -- When there is a Wikimania, a local chapter will be handling
> process
> >>>> of visa for lots of countries with different issues. Sometimes they
> handle
> >>>> it perfectly and other problems might be the reason for rejection but
> >>>> sometimes I need to come back to them and ask for more documents which
> >>>> increases the chance of rejection or visa not being issued in time.
> They
> >>>> usually consult with an immigration lawyer before the process, this
> needs
> >>>> to be increased and WMF needs to make sure these consults happen.
> >>>>
> >>>> Sorry for the long email. I hope this would be helpful for you.
> >>>>
> >>>> Best
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 1:51 PM Ilario valdelli <
> >>>> ilario.valdelli(a)wikimedia.ch> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> On 24/06/2017 02:00, Ellie Young wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 2:10 PM, Gabriel Thullen <
> gabriel(a)thullen.com>
> >>>>> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I have a few comments:
> >>>>>> 1)
> >>>>>> We do not know how the Montreal venue was selected for Wikimania.
> >>>>>> Jean-Philippe said:
> >>>>>> "A "Wikimania Montreal Committee", now defunct, was behind the
> >>>>>> request to WMF to have Wikimania in Montreal and they did not
> coordinate
> >>>>>> with the chapter in doing this."
> >>>>>> The situation there is obviously more complicated than what is being
> >>>>>> said so I will not dwell on that. What disturbs me is that the
> Montreal bid
> >>>>>> was accepted in absence of the local chapter support. That is not
> >>>>>> acceptable. Looking back on the success of the Esino Lario event, I
> believe
> >>>>>> that strong local chapter and volunteer support is vital for a
> Wikimania
> >>>>>> event.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Let us just say that there was confusion and communication issues
> >>>>> with the original proposers to host. The Steering Committee
> (including
> >>>>> yours truly) thought that Wikimedia Canada was involved. I think
> >>>>> everyone can agree how important it is for having the local chapters
> >>>>> involved--- most recently Esino Lario and Mexico City and of course
> South
> >>>>> Africa coming up.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Hi Ellie,
> >>>>> This is an interesting point. I know that recently there has been a
> >>>>> decision to have Wikimania's organization notified two years in
> advance,
> >>>>> but this model can only work if there is a "local group" with a
> mature
> >>>>> organization. Two years are too many for a local "extemporary"
> >>>>> committee.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> A chapter (with at least a small staff) is something that can assure
> a
> >>>>> commitment for two years and can support efficiently a local group
> (and
> >>>>> perhaps to save the organization in case of withdrawal).
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Basically the two year model cannot be disconnected from a *mature*
> >>>>> local organization as a chapter, otherwise the model will not work.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> But at this point is also interesting to know how big may be the
> >>>>> impact on a chapter. The organization of an event like Wikimania is
> >>>>> something fascinating, but at the same time it's more than a "stress
> test"
> >>>>> for a chapter.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Kind regards
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> Ilario Valdelli
> >>>>> Wikimedia CH
> >>>>> Verein zur Förderung Freien Wissens
> >>>>> Association pour l’avancement des connaissances libre
> >>>>> Associazione per il sostegno alla conoscenza libera
> >>>>> Switzerland - 8008 Zürich
> >>>>> Tel: +41764821371 <+41%2076%20482%2013%2071>http://www.wikimedia.ch
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_
> source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> Mail
> >>>>> priva di virus. www.avast.com
> >>>>> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_
> source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient>
> >>>>> <#m_185410550034025492_m_1267552695921599484_m_
> 6880580939877686418_m_-1851108117246999399_m_3850020966839007458_m_-
> 2762511510589227394_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> >>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>> Wikimania-l mailing list
> >>>>> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >>>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Ellie Young
> >>> Events Manager
> >>> Wikimedia Foundation
> >>> eyoung(a)wikimedia.org
> >>> c. 510 701 8649 <(510)%20701-8649>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Wikimania-l mailing list
> >>> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Wikimania-l mailing list
> >> Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> >> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > Cornelius Kibelka
> > Program and Engagement Coordinator (PEC)
> > for the Wikimedia Conference
> >
> > Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 | 10963 Berlin
> > Tel. (030) 219 158 26-0
> > http://wikimedia.de
> >
> > Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch an der Menge allen
> > Wissens frei teilhaben kann. Helfen Sie uns dabei!
> > http://spenden.wikimedia.de/
> >
> > 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 27/029/42207
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Wikimania-l mailing list
> > Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org
> > https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
> >
> >
>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kelly Doyle <kelly.doyle(a)mail.wvu.edu>
Date: Wed, Jun 21, 2017 at 2:47 PM
Subject: [Wikimedia-l] Wikiconference North America 2017, August 9th - 10th
in Montreal!
To: "wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org" <wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
Hi all,
We are excited to have this opportunity to host WikiConference North
America 2017<https://wikiconference.org/wiki/2017/Main_Page> (August 9th &
10th) this year ahead of Wikimania and we hope to see you there! As in
2016, the first day of WCNA is designated as our Wiki Culture Crawl Day and
the second day is fully programmed.
Wednesday, August 9th will be a Culture Crawl Day! This is a day-long event
where we collaborate with local museums, libraries, and cultural
institutions to host free backstage tours, edit-a-thons, and more. These
crawls are a fantastic opportunity for conference attendees to experience
the local culture, as well as collaborate with local institutions to
improve Wikipedia.
This year we have established relationships and are planning free access
and events with the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ)
and McGill University. At the BAnQ, we plan to have an edit-a-thon, where
Wikimedians utilize the Archive's resources to improve Wikipedia's coverage
of Montreal's people - and ending with an evening reception. A photo drive<
https://wikiconference.org/wiki/2017/Photo_Drive> will be occurring
throughout the day.
Thursday, August 10th will be a day of programming. If you are interested
in participating in programming at WCNA, such as a presentation, panel
discussion, or an unconference session (lightning talk, open space, etc.)
on Thursday, August 10th, please submit your proposal here<
https://wikiconference.org/wiki/2017/Submissions>.
We are seeking volunteers to help during the conference. Please sign up as
a volunteer<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfh4x1yzqiAuwbkHvy2BaIV
TLAxj6UP5DbXcfC-bUSdz67hyg/viewform?usp=sf_link> if you are interested.
For both days of WCNA 2017, you will need to register<https://
wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Registration> through the Wikimania
Eventbrite<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wikimania-
2017-registration-33032011636>. Please be sure you are registering for the
August 9 & 10, Wikiconference North America sessions. For those attending
the August 9th Cultural Crawl, there is a promo code available (wmcon2017);
note that if you use the promo code, you may not attend other
pre-conference events on August 9th. Only use the promo code if you plan on
only attending our Culture Crawl, as if you register for the incorrect
event with the promo code, you may be barred from entry to that
pre-conference event and/or session.
Best,
Kelly & the WCNA ’17 Planning Committee
/ Kelly Doyle
Wikipedian in Residence for Gender Equity
West Virginia University
(304) 293-0342
kelly.doyle(a)mail.wvu.edu
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Hi all,
Reminder! Register today for Wikimania and for the conference hotel, if you
plan to stay there. The early registration deadline is July 10 and the
deadline for booking accommodation in the conference hotel (where the
sessions will be located) is June 30th: next week!
details:
https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Accommodationhttps://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Registration
best,
Phoebe
--
* I use this address for lists; send personal messages to phoebe.ayers <at>
gmail.com *
Esino Lario too.
There was a plan to transit people through Switzerland like second option using the Maastricht's agreement. As I know this option was not used.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------From: Stuart Prior <stuart.prior(a)wikimedia.org.uk> Date: 22/06/2017 13:24 (GMT+01:00) To: "Wikimania general list (open subscription)" <wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org> Subject: Re: [Wikimania-l] Visa rejections
Lodewijk, AFAIK we've never kept track of rejections, but I could find out. My gut feeling is that there hasn't been a massive variation over the past 4 years, I think Mexico City was the most open to everybody (?)
Rexford, possibly (and yeah Wiki = Wikileaks is *always* a problem lol). But some visa systems are very closed and bureaucratic and it's hard to bring any influence or assistance to bear beyond supporting documentation, i.e you can't even talk to a human being about it.
To *truly assist* some of it would involve building political contacts beforehand to advocate for visas (i.e your local representative can help sometimes), that's a possibility but may create other problems, capacity for a start.
The logistics of organising travel/accomm for hundreds of people from hundreds of locations is already onerous, adding an intensive visa support process into that it when some visa systems feel like a lottery would be easy to overpromise and underdeliver.
What strikes me here is that visas are a problem for people from our developing communities, but they are one of many factors in deciding a Wikimania location.
One country that might be visa-friendly to one, is prohibitively expensive to get to/stay in for another.
So while Australia might be relaxed in terms of visas (I'm not confident of this btw) it's also objectively remote/expensive.
Whether a location has achieved that balance is always a question, and I can't think of one Wikimania where everyone's agreed it has ;-)
Stuart
On 22 June 2017 at 12:12, Nkansah Rexford <nkansahrexford(a)gmail.com> wrote:
It is easy to conclude the location hinders visa application acceptance. As much as it appears to be so, I strongly believe if there's good enough Visa support and assistance from the Wikimania Team/WMF, rejected cases could be low.
Obviously, an applicant should have documents intact and good, and submit all the necessary details the embassy wants, including the invitation letter. However, in some countries, that ain't enough.
In 2012, the invitation letter I submitted to the consular at the US embassy here in Ghana, she didn't read, and I could see from her face how nonsense it looked to her. Heck, anybody anywhere could conjure such a sheet of paper with black ink on, any time any day. Plus, the consular had NO idea what Wikimedia was. There was no way I could explain what Wikimedia is in the few seconds I had in front of the teller-like counter.
Wiki? WikiLeaks? Duh!
As much a mere letter of invitation is formal to some extent, to what extent is the WMF also willing to support visa applications outside just the letter?
Not saying WMF should do exactly same, but I know other organizations that pick up the phone, and call the local embassy of the invitee way ahead of time to initialize conversations and to explain to *what extent* whoever they've invited fits in the about-to-happen event.
The embassy in many cases, asks questions they won't otherwise ask the applicant, but would, to the inviting organization.
This visa issue, until the WMF *truly assist*, some countries will still struggle getting accepted visa.
It is not easy, and it ain't something just a letter wipes away.
rex
PS: I know cases where rejected visa are reconsidered and approved just because the inviting organization literally stepped in, and got serious with the embassy.
On Thursday, June 22, 2017, Bodhisattwa Mandal <bodhisattwa.rgkmc(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
The main topic of discussion among the scholarship recipients from global south this month is the high visa rejection rate by Canadian embassies from these countries.
This year, we had 7 scholarship recipients from Bengali community, 4 from India and 3 from Bangladesh. Already 3 out of 4 scholarship recipients from Indian part of the communities got their visa rejected, others are waiting. Although I am hoping for the best for all the scholarship recipients, but may be news of more rejections are coming soon.
Wikimania should be organised in a visa friendly country, and not in those countries where global south citizens are not allowed to enter even for a 6-days conference. Otherwise, a global community is not truly presented.
Best wishes,
Bodhisattwa
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Hello Wikimanians,
In just two months, from the 9th to the 13th of August 2017, Wikimania
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If you are curious as to what being a volunteer in Wikimania 2017
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If you are available, send an email to abeaubien(a)wikimedia.ca, and I
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Antoine Beaubien
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Wikimania 2017 — Montréal — https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/
535 avenue Viger E, Montréal (Québec) H2L 2P3
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Tél.: (514) 875-9985 <514-875-9985>, x690
Attention Everyone (and please spread the word):
Early Bird Registration is Open for Wikimania 2017. This discount pricing
ends on July 10th so don’t delay!
https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Registration
Draft Program for the Conference is Now Up!
https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Programme
Deadline for Accommodation at the Headquarters hotel is June 22. See below!
Wikimania 2017 will be held August 9-13, 2017 in and around the Le Centre
Sheraton Montréal <https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Venue>, in
Montréal,
Canada <https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Montr%C3%A9al> The venue
will host most of the conference, hackathon, meetups, and pre-events. Most
of the WMF personnel and scholarship recipients will be housed there as
well. Those that submitted accepted talks for the program have been
notified and the agenda will be finalized in the next few weeks.
We would like to encourage all speakers and attendees to register early and
book their flight and travel as soon as possible. It is going to be a
very popular, busy summer in Canada this year because of the 150th
Anniversary
of Canada and the 375th Anniversary of Montréal.
If you wish to stay at the headquarters hotel and take advantage of our
discounted rate, the deadline is June 22. After that prices will be higher
and availability throughout the city limited. There is also a secondary
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If you have any questions with regard to the conference, please contact :
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We h
ope you can join us in Montréal this summer!
Ellie Young, WMF Events Manager
on behalf of the Wikimania ‘17 Organizing Team