May 2025 - Wikimedia-l - lists.wikimedia.org

February 2024 Update
by Maryana Iskander 01 Oct '25

01 Oct '25

This message will be translated into other languages on Meta-wiki <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Chi…> ‎العربية • español • français • português • Deutsch• 中文 <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Chi…> You can help with more languages <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Chi…> Hi everyone, Since joining the Foundation I have tried to regularly write to you <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Chi…> here and elsewhere, and I wanted to share a few updates since my last letter. In October 2023 <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Com…>, I reflected that we were in a period of compounded challenges across the world with escalating wars, conflict, and climate reminding us each week that global volatility and uncertainty was on the rise. That feels even more true now. My instinct then was to ask us to make more time to talk to each other and to try and pull closer together. This feels even more needed now. I noted that the return of in-person gatherings has been essential for a subset of our volunteers, providing spaces for reconnecting, recharging and working through difficult issues together in the same room. Foundation leadership has also been working harder to share organizational news and have individualized conversations on-wiki and in other digital forums. Our goal has been to put more effort and intentionality into communicating the right information, at the right time, and in the right way, even knowing that we can never meet everyone's expectations. Most importantly, we had to keep talking to each other – formally and informally – throughout the year. This was the basis of an open invitation to Talking: 2024 <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Com…>, an effort designed to listen intently to what is on your minds now, to share progress at the Foundation, and to also reflect on the needs for multi-year strategic plans. (A reminder that our priorities for long-range planning <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Community_Affairs_Comm…...>, informed by movement strategy, are Wikimedia’s financial model, product/technology needs, and roles/responsibilities.) So far, Wikimedia Foundation Trustees, executives, and staff have hosted 130 conversations <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Community_Affairs_Comm…> on-wiki, with individuals, and in small groups. These conversations have stretched across all regions of the world. We have learned from prolific community members to recent newcomers, from technical volunteers to stewards, event organizers, and affiliate leaders. Since these discussions were intended to improve deliberations at the Board’s strategic planning retreat next week, here is a summary of some of the feedback I've heard so far! Continue focusing the Foundation on supporting product/technology needs. As early as my first letter to you in January 2022, <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Chi…> I understood that the central role of the Wikimedia Foundation is in enabling our projects, which is core to every aspect of our movement's mission. This was reinforced in most of the Talking:2024 conversations that we hosted over the last five months – from the need for the Foundation to remain focused on upgrading technical infrastructure to supporting volunteer needs for tool maintenance and metrics. Our annual planning continues to center the Foundation’s product and technology priorities. More deliberate conversations are taking place at the Foundation about what a multi-generational view of Wikimedia projects requires of us all. For me, this remains perhaps the most critical topic for our strategic efforts as we make tangible and practical a mission <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Mission> that calls for our work to continue in perpetuity. Recent discussions on this mailing list remind me that we can’t get to everything fast enough, but we continue to move more in the right direction. Chief Product & Technology Officer Selena Deckelmann recently shared <https://diff.wikimedia.org/2024/02/20/thinking-about-annual-planning-in-the…> that: “In the last couple of months, we shipped changes that enabled a better backbone for PageTriage <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:PageTriage>, and worked closely with volunteer developers to ensure future sustainability. Going forward, we have a number of initiatives ranging from projects like Edit Check <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Edit_check>, Discussion Tools <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:DiscussionTools>, Dark mode <https://diff.wikimedia.org/2023/11/24/dark-mode-is-coming/>, Patrolling on Android <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Apps/Team/Android>, Watchlist on iOS <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Apps/Team/iOS>, Automoderator <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Moderator_Tools/Automoderator>, Community Configuration <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Growth/Community_configuration>, the Wikimedia Commons Upload Wizard <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Upload_Wizard>, and others. We've resolved over 600 volunteer-reported issues in Phabricator in the last 6 months, and we're using research methods that solicit prototypes directly from volunteers <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Reading/Web/Accessibility_for_reading/Commun…> for informing typography decision making. And we're learning not just the basics of font size and spacing, we're also getting important information about context, devices and cultural aspects of the use of Wikipedia which are vital for helping make our software easier to use as how people use and access it changes (and it has changed a lot over 20 years!).” She has also already published draft objectives for the product and tech teams, and your input and on-wiki comments are always welcome <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Ann…> . ‘Human-led, tech-enabled’ means that the humans still lead. While tech featured prominently in most of these conversations, there remains no doubt that Wikimedia is a human-led movement (“It’s all about people.”). This led to exploring even more solutions that can address a familiar dilemma about how to balance the needs of existing editors with initiatives to welcome newcomers (“It’s always the war between ‘we need to protect the existing content’ and ‘do we care about new users with a tolerance for errors.’”). While some shared wonderful stories of their own journeys (“I wanna say that the Newcomer tools have been a really great project and very glad to see that energy was expensed there”), there was vocal urgency about the sustainability of the projects for generations to come (“We are sending away people who could be helpful to the projects”). In this regard, several discussions highlighted the value of the Universal Code of Conduct <https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Universal_Code_of_Conduct> as a “game changer” in signaling to all communities that they are actively invited and welcomed to safely contribute to the mission of free knowledge, while still acknowledging there is more to do (“It’s probably a good thing, but I don’t know if it will solve what I have faced.”). I learned in my initial listening tour that we have to make all contributions count <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Chief_Executive_Office…>, and all contributors feel welcomed. I found that the Talking:2024 conversations deepened my own understanding of the peer support and mentorship needed for volunteers to thrive as active community members. (One example are these reflections <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Clovermoss/Editor_reflections> where 140 other editors participated). Finally, our human-led values came up in several conversations about Wikimedia’s role in shaping the next generation of artificial intelligence, a topic of ongoing discussion in the world <https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/18/magazine/wikipedia-ai-chatgpt.html?unloc…>, in our communities <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Future_Audiences>, and at the Foundation. This is complemented by ongoing discussions about the role of AI-generated content on our platform by various project communities. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Large_language_model_policy)> A recent effort to contribute to a shared research agenda on AI <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Artificial_intelligence/…>can be found here – including the need for more research to understand human motivation to contribute to the knowledge commons – it was created by a small group working in the open who rushed to publish a ‘bad first draft’ that will benefit from more input. <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Talk:Artificial_intellig…> Can our financial model provide more certainty, and also force difficult trade-offs? In my last letter, <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Com…> I shared that future projections indicate that, for a range of reasons, fundraising online and through banners may not continue to grow at the same rate as in past years. We have several long-term initiatives underway to help mitigate this risk and also diversify our revenue streams, including the Wikimedia Endowment <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Endowment> and Wikimedia Enterprise <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Enterprise>. Over the past two years, we have slowed the rate of growth <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Ann…> for the Foundation itself, while increasing financial resources <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Ann…> that support other movement entities. The Talking:2024 conversations provided a space for movement entities to share a need for multi-year financial certainty in their support from the Foundation, which we will take into our planning for next year. Other conversations highlighted the need to continue prioritizing limited resources and being more explicit about trade-offs (“[We must] use the money we have as wisely as we can”). These discussions have already improved the thinking for the Foundation’s current and upcoming planning cycles. <https://diff.wikimedia.org/2024/01/31/progress-on-the-plan-how-the-wikimedi…> Movement roles need more clarity. The task of defining a Movement Charter <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Movement_Charter> came up in several conversations with contributors of all kinds. These ranged from reflections about movement strategy recommendations and principles (“Will it always be first come, first served in this movement?”) to questions about the purpose of different structures (“What decisions do we need the global council to make? Why are decisions moving from one center to another?” “We are taking a hammer to solve this issue when they are simple screws.”). Unsurprisingly, there were varying perspectives (“The editing community in many regions doesn’t see an immediate benefit in affiliates, hubs, or other governance structures.” “The community still feels unheard by the Foundation.” “The good work that affiliates do in certain regions is commendable, especially where those affiliates are deeply engaged with the community.”) And a deep recognition of the complex task at hand (“The community is so huge and it’s hard to tie everyone together.” “How do we make change in the movement in a way that is understandable and doesn’t scare people.” “There has to be control and risk management with empowering the community, inviting everyone, and trying to grow while protecting what we have meticulously built over the past 23 years.”). Considering the investment of time and resources going into the charter, we need to make sure that this effort will provide us all with clearer strategic direction on what is needed to serve the future needs of our movement, and meet the expectations of a rapidly changing world around us. The Wikimedia Foundation recently shared these questions <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Movement_Charter#Wikimedia_Foundation_…> with the Movement Charter Drafting Committee to identify areas of key focus and concern. We will continue to review and comment on new drafts as they are produced in the weeks and months ahead. The Board of Trustees will dedicate time at its next Open Conversation with Trustees on March 21 <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Community_Affairs_Comm…> to talk more about this process and the Foundation’s hopes for a Movement Charter. +++ Talking: 2024 kicked off a useful check-in to hear how we are collectively doing, and it continues. Your voice and contributions would help add to the feedback we have already received—whether that is on-wiki, in 1:1 conversations, in small groups, in person. What we learn will continue to inform the Foundation's long-term planning. Please consider joining a conversation <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Foundation_Com…'s_talk> . For me, each conversation has been a reminder that what drives this movement is the people. We remain at a pivotal moment, where the world needs Wikipedia and the Wikimedia projects more than ever. As one of you shared, “I feel like there is a way because we have made a way, an experience of community that connects people across the world.” As always, I welcome your feedback either on my talk page <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/User_talk:MIskander-WMF> or emailing me directly at miskander(a)wikimedia.org. Maryana Maryana Iskander, Wikimedia Foundation CEO

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Subject: Request to Unblock Access to Wikimedia Commons in Pakistan
by Sindhi Wikipedia 25 Jul '25

25 Jul '25

Jogi Asad Rajpar Sindhi Wikipedia community/ Wikimedia Sindh. Thari Mirwah, Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan Thari Mirwah - 66150 February 19, 2025 To, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) F-5/1, PTA Headquarters, Islamabad Email: Subject: Request to Unblock Access to Wikimedia Commons in Pakistan Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally request the unblocking of *Wikimedia Commons* ( https://commons.wikimedia.org) in Pakistan. Wikimedia Commons is a globally recognized platform that hosts freely licensed educational media files, including images, videos, and audio recordings, which are widely used for academic, cultural, and informational purposes. It has come to my attention that Wikimedia Commons is currently inaccessible or partially blocked in Pakistan, which is causing significant inconvenience for students, researchers, educators, journalists, and digital content creators. This restriction limits access to a vast repository of freely available knowledge and historical documentation that is beneficial for Pakistan’s educational and cultural institutions. Additionally, I am organizing *Wiki Loves Folklore*, an international photography competition that aims to document and share the rich folk culture of various countries, including Pakistan. This competition provides a platform for Pakistani participants to share photographs showcasing Pakistan’s diverse traditions, folk heritage, and cultural expressions with the global community. However, due to the restriction on Wikimedia Commons, participants from Pakistan are facing significant difficulties in uploading their photographs and contributing to this global initiative. Wikimedia Commons is a non-commercial and non-political platform that serves as a crucial resource for academic and cultural documentation. Its restriction negatively impacts the ability of Pakistani users to contribute and benefit from free knowledge. I kindly urge you to review this matter and restore access to Wikimedia Commons in Pakistan. If the blocking was implemented due to specific content-related concerns, I request that only the relevant content be reviewed rather than restricting the entire website. Please confirm receipt of this request and provide an update on any actions taken. I appreciate your time and consideration in ensuring Pakistan’s digital community has access to essential global knowledge resources. I'm providing the following link to Wiki Loves Folklore 2025 in Pakistan photography contest link and other related links. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Folklore_2025_in_Paki… https://www.google.com/search?q=wiki+Loves+Folklore+2025+in+Pakistan&oq=wik… Request on Wikimedia Phabricator Commons can't provide a secure connection / can't be reached in Pakistan. Link 👇 https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T329264 https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T329264 https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org… I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Jogi Asad Rajpar Phone 📱: +923152067927

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Invitation to give feedback to Wikimedia Research Fund 2024-2025 proposals
by Leila Zia 17 Jun '25

17 Jun '25

Hi everyone, This year we received 63 proposals for the Wikimedia Research Fund <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Research_%26_Tech…> [1] and we have advanced 13 competitive proposals <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Research_%26_Tech…> [2] for further review. We would like to invite you to provide your feedback about one or more of these proposals by May 12, 2025. You can do so by clicking on the proposal you want to review, and leaving feedback in the Discussion page corresponding to the proposal. Best, Wikimedia Research Fund co-chairs Leila Zia (Wikimedia Foundation) Benjamin Mako Hill (U. of Washington) [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Research_%26_Tech… [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Research_%26_Tech…

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Two years without graphs
by Galder Gonzalez Larrañaga 08 Jun '25

08 Jun '25

Dear all, Two years ago, all graphs were disabled because there was a security issue. Two years later, we still have a message telling readers that graphs are broken and that it will be fixed soon. Two years gone, two years of negligence, two years of abandonment, two years of obsolescence. The team that should be fixing it announced that the graphs would be live again this month (https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T369944). There's not even a plan for that to happen (https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T383079). Two years lost, two years without a solution. Last year, a group of volunteers partially solved the issue with the OWID gadget. The WMF asked to stop solving things, while they had a meeting with people from OurWorldInData to talk about security. Seven months after the last update from the WMF, we are still waiting for a formal agreement that, obviously, is not going to happen. (https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:OWID_Gadget) Half a year ago I participated in a discussion about this issue and I said that the strategy was clear: make everyone forget that we even had graphs, so there's no need to solve the issue. No one has proven me wrong. Two years without graphs. Two years further from our goal to be the central infrastructure of free knowledge. Galder.

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First Election Results - Iranian Wikimedians User Group
by Arian 31 May '25

31 May '25

Dear Wikimedia Community, We are pleased to announce the results of the first-ever election for the Iranian Wikimedians User Group board of trustees. This historic milestone marks an important step in the growth and formalization of our community. Newly Elected Board Members: - [[User:Darafsh]] - Chair - [[User:Ladsgroup]] - Vice Chair - [[User:Arian]] - Secretary - [[User:Arash.pt]] - Treasurer - [[User:Arash]] - Communications The members were elected for a two-year long term ending in 2027. This election represents a significant achievement for the Iranian Wikimedians community, establishing governance structures that will guide our user group's activities and initiatives moving forward. We extend our sincere congratulations to all elected members and express our gratitude to all candidates who participated in this democratic process. We also thank the community members who volunteered their time to organize and oversee this inaugural election. The Iranian Wikimedians User Group looks forward to continuing its mission of supporting Wikimedia projects and promoting free knowledge in Iran and the broader Persian-speaking community under this new leadership structure. For more information about the Iranian Wikimedians User Group and our activities, please visit our meta page. [1] Regards, On behalf of the newly elected board, Arian Secretary and Board Member Iranian Wikimedians User Group [1] https://w.wiki/6HMq

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Invitation to Capacity Building Workshop – Wikipedia Notability Guidelines for Biographies of
by Ruby D-Brown 30 May '25

30 May '25

Dear Wikimedians, We are pleased to invite you to participate in the next session of the *Wiki Women User Group Capacity Building Workshop Series <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:2025_WikiWomen%27s_Usergroup_Capacity…>*, taking place *today.* *Workshop Topic:* *Understanding Wikipedia’s Notability Guidelines for Writing Biographies of Women* *Date:* Friday, 30th May 2025 *Time:* 17:00 UTC *Facilitator:* Uncle Bash007 *Zoom Link:* https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88062879396 *Registration Page:* Meta-Wiki Event Page <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:2025_WikiWomen%27s_Usergroup_Capacity…> This session will provide valuable insights into Wikipedia's notability requirements, specifically tailored to writing and improving biographies of women. It is particularly suited for those who are passionate about closing the gender gap on Wikipedia but may find notability criteria challenging to navigate. The workshop is open to all Wikimedians and allies committed to fostering equity and representation within the Wikimedia movement. We look forward to your participation in this important learning opportunity. Warm regards, Ruby and Jemima *Wiki Women User Group <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiWomen%27s_User_Group> Coordinators*

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Invitation to KWUG WikiConnect Discussion Hour 5
by Bharathesha A B 29 May '25

29 May '25

Hello Everyone, We are thrilled to invite you to the 5th edition of the *KWUG WikiConnect Discussion Hour*, featuring our esteemed speaker, Shri. Nethi Sai Kiran <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nskjnv> In this session, we’ll explore an engaging discussion on *Wikimedia And Future Culture Heritage* and much more. The discussion hour is scheduled for *Friday, 30 May 2025, at 19:30 IST * 📍 *Venue:* https://meet.google.com/rng-ysnp-thu 🔗* Save your spot here:* https://w.wiki/EKGi We look forward to your participation in this inspiring conversation. Warm regards, *Bharathesha AlasandemajaluExecutive Member, Karavali Wikimedians User Group*

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Recognition of Assamese Wikimedia Community User Group
by Affiliations Committee 29 May '25

29 May '25

Hi everyone, I'm very happy to announce that the Affiliations Committee has recognized [1] Assamese Wikimedia Community User Group [2] as a Wikimedia User Group. The group aims to work on various Wikimedia projects related to Assamese language and advance the Wikimedia movement in the Assamese language Please join me in congratulating the members of this new user group! Regards, Suyash Dwivedi Vice Chair, Affiliations Committee [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Affiliations_Committee/Resolutions/2025/Rec… [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Assamese_Wikimedia_Community

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Upcoming Language Community Meeting (May 30th, 15:00 UTC), Newsletter, and Namespaces
by Oscar Costero 28 May '25

28 May '25

*My apologies for writing in English. Please help translate to your language.* Hello everyone! We're excited to announce that the next *Language Community Meeting* is happening soon, *May 30th at 15:00 UTC*! If you’d like to join, simply *sign up on the wiki page* <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Language_and_Product_Localization/…> . This is a participant-driven meeting where we share updates on language-related projects, discuss technical challenges in language wikis, and collaborate on solutions. In our upcoming meeting, we plan to cover results from a recent language onboarding experiment and hear experiences from a Nigerian contributor who contributes to the Obolo wiki, which was part of this experiment. *Got a topic to share?* Whether it’s a technical update from your project, a challenge you need help with, or a request for interpretation support, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reply to this message or add agenda items to *the document here* <https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/language-community-meeting-may-2025>. Also, we wanted to highlight that the 7th edition of the *Language & Internationalization newsletter (April 2025)* is available here: *Wikimedia Language and Product Localization/Newsletter/2025/April* <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Wikimedia_Language_and_Pr…>. This newsletter provides updates from the January–March 2025 quarter on new feature development, improvements in various language-related technical projects and support efforts, details about community meetings, and ideas for contributing to projects. To stay updated, you can subscribe to the newsletter on its wiki page: *Wikimedia Language and Product Localization/Newsletter* <https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Newsletter:Language_and_I…> . Would you be interested in contributing to the technical workaround language development? There is a newcomer-friendly core namespace-related task waiting for your contribution: *T391725* <https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T391725>. We look forward to your ideas and participation at the Language Community Meeting, see you there! Oscar Language Diversity Hub

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Next Episode of WikiAfrica Hour "Organize, Lead, Sustain: The Power of Wikimedia Bodies" JOIN US!
by Donia ElDomiaty 26 May '25

26 May '25

Dear Wikimedians, We hope this email finds you well. We invite you to join the next episode of WikiAfrica Hour "Organize, Lead, Sustain: The Power of Wikimedia Bodies” We are very excited to discuss this topic with the episode guests and your joining is very valuable. What can you expect from the episode? Behind every Wikimedia project is a network of passionate individuals—and the structures that help them thrive. In this episode, we explore the types of collaborative groups that power the Wikimedia movement, from User Groups to Thematic Organizations and Chapters. Why are these bodies so essential, and how do they help communities organize themselves around shared goals, whether local or thematic? We’ll unpack the steps to start a group, how to choose the right structure, and why some regions have many groups coexisting. Our guests will share ideas for building capacity, attracting leaders, and evolving from grassroots efforts into stable organizations. We’ll also discuss practical insights on funding—from Wikimedia sources to external partnerships—and how communities sustain themselves financially and strategically. Finally, we dive into the challenges of long-term sustainability and what it takes to keep governance structures healthy, adaptive, and impactful over time. Who are the guest speakers? - Tochi Precious: <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tochiprecious> Co-founder & Executive Director of Igbo Wikimedia Organization, and Wikimedian in Residence at Wikitongues. She's a member of the Language Committee and a Board Member at Wiki in Africa and African & Proud. - Harriet Bayel <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mwintirew>: She serves as the Community Lead of the GOI Foundation and is a member of the Affiliations Committee. From 2021 to 2023, she also served as a member of the Regional Grants Committee for Sub-Saharan Africa. - Martin Hipangwa <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Martin_Hipangwa>: He founded Wikimedia Community User Group Namibia, which strives for the advocacy of digital literacy skills and open-access knowledge platforms such as Wikipedia and its sister projects in Namibia. - KOFFI Kangah Donatien: <https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Papischou> Discovering Wikipedia in 2012, he co-founded the Wikimedia Côte d'Ivoire User Group. His commitment extends internationally as a trainer and member of the Wikifranca microgrant committee. He also collaborates with several African communities and organizes the French-speaking Wikiconvention 2023 in Abidjan. Hosting them Delphine Ménard, an active contributor to Wikimedia projects in 2004, and then involvement soon expanded beyond editing to include roles in community governance. Aside from her volunteer engagements over the years, she worked for the Wikimedia Foundation as a Program Officer, supporting grant programs and organizational development of affiliates. In 2022, she went back to being an active Wikimedia volunteer, and was recently appointed to the newly formed Global Resources Distribution Committee (GRDC). In Focus section: Highlights from Wiki Loves Africa 2025 We will listen to *Hilary Ogali* <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ogalihillary>, WLA facilitator, and *Dappa Solomon*, WLA local organiser who made a big splash in 2025! Hilary will share the biggest highlights and wins from this year’s competition, while Dappa will open up about his first-time experience, the challenges, the triumphs—and tips for anyone ready to join or host next time! When and where will the episode take place? Data: Wednesday 28th May Time of the live episode: 16:00 UTC In focus section starts 16:50 UTC Join us LIVE on Youtube <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCsxAAD_1-o>. You can also register in the event tool here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:WAH_Episode_46_-_Organize,_Lead,_Sust…> Looking forward to seeing you! -- *Donia* WikiAfrica Hour Production Coordinator & Wiki In Africa Tools Community Facilitator

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Wikimedians of Lagos User Group/Annual Report 2024-2025
by Johnson Sewedo 24 May '25

24 May '25

Hello Wikimedians, Find below the Wikimedians of Lagos User Group activities report: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedians_of_Lagos_User_Group/Annual_Repo… Warm regards, Johnson

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Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees 2025 Selection & Call for Questions
by Victoria Doronina 22 May '25

22 May '25

Dear all, This year, the term of 2 (two) Community- and Affiliate-selected Trustees on the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees will come to an end [1]. The Board invites the whole movement to participate in this year’s selection process and vote to fill those seats. The Elections Committee will oversee this process with support from Foundation staff [2]. The Governance Committee, composed of trustees who are not candidates in the 2025 community-and-affiliate-selected trustee selection process (Raju Narisetti, Shani Evenstein Sigalov, Lorenzo Losa, Kathy Collins, Victoria Doronina and Esra’a Al Shafei) [3], is tasked with providing Board oversight for the 2025 trustee selection process and for keeping the Board informed. More details on the roles of the Elections Committee, Board, and staff are here [4]. Here are the key planned dates: * May 22 – June 5: Announcement (this communication) and call for questions period [6] * June 17 – July 1, 2025: Call for candidates * July 2025: If needed, affiliates vote to shortlist candidates if more than 10 apply [5] * August 2025: Campaign period * August – September 2025: Two-week community voting period * October – November 2025: Background check of selected candidates * Board’s Meeting in December 2025: New trustees seated Learn more about the 2025 selection process - including the detailed timeline, the candidacy process, the campaign rules, and the voter eligibility criteria - on this Meta-wiki page [link] <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025>. Call for Questions In each selection process, the community has the opportunity to submit questions for the Board of Trustees candidates to answer. The Election Committee selects questions from the list developed by the community for the candidates to answer. Candidates must answer all the required questions in the application in order to be eligible; otherwise their application will be disqualified. This year, the Election Committee will select 5 questions for the candidates to answer. The selected questions may be a combination of what’s been submitted from the community, if they’re alike or related [link] <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Questio…> . Election Volunteers Another way to be involved with the 2025 selection process is to be an Election Volunteer. Election Volunteers are a bridge between the Elections Committee and their respective community. They help ensure their community is represented and mobilize them to vote. Learn more about the program and how to join on this Meta-wiki page [link]. <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Electio…> Thank you! [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Results [2] https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Committee:Elections_Committee_Charter [3] https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Resolution:Committee_Membership,_Dece… [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections_committee/Ro… [5] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/FAQ [6] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Questio… Best regards, Victoria Doronina Board Liaison to the Elections Committee Governance Committee -- Victoria Doronina <https://wikimediafoundation.org/profile/dr-victoria-doronina/> (she/her) Trustee Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> "Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. Please help us make it a reality."

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Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees 2025 Selection & Call for Questions
by Victoria Doronina 22 May '25

22 May '25

This year, the term of 2 (two) Community- and Affiliate-selected Trustees on the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees will come to an end [1]. The Board invites the whole movement to participate in this year’s selection process and vote to fill those seats. The Elections Committee will oversee this process with support from Foundation staff [2]. The Governance Committee, composed of trustees who are not candidates in the 2025 community-and-affiliate-selected trustee selection process (Raju Narisetti, Shani Evenstein Sigalov, Lorenzo Losa, Kathy Collins, Victoria Doronina and Esra’a Al Shafei) [3], is tasked with providing Board oversight for the 2025 trustee selection process and for keeping the Board informed. More details on the roles of the Elections Committee, Board, and staff are here [4]. Here are the key planned dates: * May 22 – June 5: Announcement (this communication) and call for questions period [6] * June 17 – July 1, 2025: Call for candidates * July 2025: If needed, affiliates vote to shortlist candidates if more than 10 apply [5] * August 2025: Campaign period * August – September 2025: Two-week community voting period * October – November 2025: Background check of selected candidates * Board’s Meeting in December 2025: New trustees seated Learn more about the 2025 selection process - including the detailed timeline, the candidacy process, the campaign rules, and the voter eligibility criteria - on this Meta-wiki page [link] <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025>. Call for Questions In each selection process, the community has the opportunity to submit questions for the Board of Trustees candidates to answer. The Election Committee selects questions from the list developed by the community for the candidates to answer. Candidates must answer all the required questions in the application in order to be eligible; otherwise their application will be disqualified. This year, the Election Committee will select 5 questions for the candidates to answer. The selected questions may be a combination of what’s been submitted from the community, if they’re alike or related [link] <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Questio…> . Election Volunteers Another way to be involved with the 2025 selection process is to be an Election Volunteer. Election Volunteers are a bridge between the Elections Committee and their respective community. They help ensure their community is represented and mobilize them to vote. Learn more about the program and how to join on this Meta-wiki page [link]. <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Electio…> Thank you! ------ [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2022/Results [2] https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Committee:Elections_Committee_Charter [3] https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Resolution:Committee_Membership,_Dece… [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections_committee/Ro… [5] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/FAQ [6] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_elections/2025/Questio… Best regards, Victoria Doronina Board Liaison to the Elections Committee Governance Committee -- Victoria Doronina <https://wikimediafoundation.org/profile/dr-victoria-doronina/> (she/her) Trustee Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/> "Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. Please help us make it a reality."

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Wikimedia Indonesia's 2024 annual report
by Rachmat W. 22 May '25

22 May '25

Dear fellow Wikimedians, Wikimedia Indonesia has released its 2024 financial report, which includes a summary of activities carried out over the past year, as well as the organization's financial position as of 31 December 2024. Throughout the year, we had the opportunity to work together on various initiatives, from workshops and competitions to community engagement efforts across different cities. The report is available here: https://w.wiki/EF48 (PDF) We truly appreciate the collaboration and support extended to Wikimedia Indonesia in 2024. We look forward to continuing this meaningful journey together with you in the future. Thank you! Kind regards, Rachmat ~~~ Rachmat W. Direktur Proyek (Project Director) Email address: rachmat.wahidi(a)wikimedia.or.id • Username: Rachmat (WMID) Wikimedia Indonesia • TCC Batavia Tower One, Lt. 6, Jalan K.H. Mas Mansyur No. 126, Karet Tengsin, Tanah Abang, Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta 10220 F: /wikimedia.indonesia • T: @wikimediaid • I: @wikimediaid • YT: Wikimedia Indonesia • S: 3420XbbYlpOojpZm0PKyF6 • Li: /wikimediaid / /rachmatwahidi • www.wikimedia.or.id Reminder: (1) The contents of this email may be strictly confidential and are intended only for the recipients restricted in this email. Please do not disclose any part of this email to any party without our explicit consent. If you have received this email by accident, please let us know by replying to this email and delete this email accordingly. We will ensure that such mistakes do not take place in the future. (2) You may receive this email outside your regular business hours/days. Hence, you should not feel burdened to answer it on your day off.

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Invitation to 29th DCW Conversation Hour: Advocacy, Policy and Open Knowledge
by Aafi 20 May '25

20 May '25

Dear Wikimedians, I am excited to invite you to the 29th DCW Conversation Hour <https://dcwwiki.org/DCW_Conversation_Hour> focusing on Advocacy, Policy and Open Knowledge. The conversation hour is scheduled on the 23rd of May 2025 at 2:30 PM UTC (8:00 PM Indian Time), and features Catalina Frigerio, the director for advocacy and policy at Wikimedia Chile. Kindly register from here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:DCW_Conversation_Hour_May_2025> and keep your questions handy! Please contact us if you have any concerns. I look forward to seeing you on the 23rd! Thanks and regards Aafi

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WikiConference North America 2025 Call for Program Proposals
by Pharos 18 May '25

18 May '25

*You're invited to submit for the upcoming WikiConference being held in NYC in October 2025!* Submit program proposals through this form <https://wikiconference.org/wiki/2025/Program/Submissions>. Program submissions are now open for *WikiConference North America (WCNA) 2025*! This year’s conference will take place in *New York City from October 16–19, 2025*, under the theme “Wiki’s World Fair”— reflecting the rich cultural diversity of our community and the city of New York. We invite those interested to submit proposals for the conference particularly on topics related to: Credibility and online safety, the future of Wikipedia, and content gaps. As always, we welcome updates from around the community and all proposals will be given consideration regardless of topic. Program submissions will be open until June 1st, 2025. WCNA is a multi-lingual conference and we encourage participants to submit proposals for programming in Spanish and French as well. Translation services will be provided during the conference, and presenters are welcome to present in-person, or virtually. This year’s conference will be set up for hybrid participation and attendance. We look forward to seeing you in New York City, or online October 16-19 Thanks, Richard (User:Pharos)

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🎉 Africa Wiki Challenge 2025 Launch | May 23, 2025
by Jael Boateng 16 May '25

16 May '25

Dear Wikimedians, We are excited to announce the launch of Africa Wiki Challenge (AWC) 2025 <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Africa_Wiki_Challenge_2025/Home>, taking place from May 25 to June 30, 2025 this year, under the theme: "Reclaiming Our Narrative: Justice for Africans and the Diaspora through Reparations" AWC 2025 aligns with the African Union’s Year of Justice, calling on Wikimedians across the continent and beyond to document African histories, perspectives, and advocacy efforts for justice and reparations on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. This challenge is an opportunity to: - Improve and create articles related to historical injustices, reparations, and African resilience. - Upload images and media to Wikimedia Commons to visually represent key moments in African history. - Translate content into African languages to ensure wider accessibility. - Engage in edit-a-thons and training sessions to collaborate with fellow Wikimedians. 📅 Launch Event: The campaign will be officially launched on May 23, 2025, with a hybrid event featuring expert discussions on the role of Wikimedia in shaping Africa’s global representation. Register <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Africa_Wiki_Challenge_2025/Launch> to join the conversation and learn more about how you can participate in AWC 2025. We invite individual contributors, Wikimedia communities, and partner organizations to take part in this year’s challenge and help shape a more accurate and representative online knowledge base for Africa! 🔗 Learn more in our official blog post: Read Here <https://diff.wikimedia.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=158724&action=edit> Participate <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Africa_Wiki_Challenge_2025/Participate> and stand the chance of winning amazing prizes while contributing to open knowledge. Sign up for the contest here. <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Africa_Wiki_Challenge_2025/Home> You are invited to join our Telegram <https://t.me/+uQcspw2vuqczOGM0> group for easy access and fast communication. Join us in reclaiming our narrative and documenting Africa’s journey toward justice! Warm regards, -- Jael Serwaa Boateng Executive Director Open Foundation West Africa

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Yoruba Wikimedians User Group Strategic Plan (2025–2028)
by Mikaeel Sodiq 16 May '25

16 May '25

Dear Wikimedia Community, We are excited to announce the release of the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan for the Yoruba Wikimedians User Group. This document outlines our strategic direction over the next three years as we work to expand the visibility, quality, and reach of Yoruba-language content across Wikimedia projects. Yoruba is a language spoken by more than 60 million people. This plan reflects our commitment to long-term impact and sustainability, and it is shaped by the needs and aspirations of our community. Some of our key priorities include - Establishing a robust governance structure - Growing and supporting a diverse network of volunteers - Increasing content creation and improving content quality - Establishing strategic partnerships to strengthen our outreach - Deepening engagement through community-led capacity-building programs We see this plan not just as an internal guide but as an invitation for collaboration. We value the insight and support of the global Wikimedia community and welcome any suggestions, partnerships, or feedback. Read the full Strategic Plan here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yoruba_Wikimedians_User_Group_Strat… Let’s build the future of Yoruba Wikimedia projects together. Warm regards, Mikaeel Sodiq On behalf of the Yoruba Wikimedians User Group

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[Let's Connect] Let’s Connect Learning Clinic: Understanding and Navigating Conflict in Wikimedia Projects Part 2.
by Justice Okai-Allotey 16 May '25

16 May '25

Hello | مرحباً بكم | Olá | Bonjour | Hola Wikimedia-L, Let’s Connect <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Knowledge_Sharing/Connect>would like to invite you to participate in Part 2 of this learning clinic: Communication and Cultural Sensitivity in Conflict Resolution - Best practices. We’re excited to continue this journey with you and make your experience more insightful and impactful. The session will be in English and simultaneously translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Arabic. Session date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM UTC. Location(zoom): Event registration link is here <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvnUPxxsqib_zBz98vAQDW8eLUaZCNpxr…>, and/or you can register on Meta here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Let%27s_Connect_Learning_Clinic_%E2%8…> . Once you register, the Google Calendar invitation will be sent. [image: 👉] Do you have a skills profile with Let’s Connect? Would you like one? If you want to join the Let’s Connect community, please register here <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiea87tSYmB2-1XHn_u8RLe7efMJifJBz…> . 👉 What is this Learning Clinic for? - In a movement as beautifully diverse as ours, conflict is inevitable—but manageable. This is our second session of the Conflict Resolution series, which is about learning the challenges in globally multicultural communities and exploring communication from a cultural lens. 👉 What will you learn? 🧠 By the end of this session, you’ll be able to: 1. Develop active listening & non-violent communication (NVC) skills. 2. Learn a few strategies to navigate cultural sensitivities & biases in Wikimedia spaces. 3. Know some practices around effectively handling asynchronous communication. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Let’s Connect working group <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Knowledge_Sharing/Connect/Team>at Letsconnectteam(a)wikimedia.org. We look forward to seeing you! On Behalf of Let's Connect Working Group.

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New board for Wikimedia Italy
by Ferdinando Traversa 16 May '25

16 May '25

Hello, I am honoured to announce that Wikimedia Italy has appointed a new board for the 2025–2028 term, effective this week: * Ferdinando Traversa (user:Ferdi2005), President * Daniele Santini (user:Danysan1), Vice-President * Marco Montanari (user:Mmo), Treasurer * Elena Marangoni (user:Elena moz), Secretary * Mattia Luigi Nappi (user:Snappy), Councillor Together with our Executive Director, Francesca Pinto, we look forward to collaborating and engaging with other chapters and the movement as a whole. See you soon, Ferdinando

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JOIN US AS WE DEPLOY WIKIFUNCTIONS ON IGBO WIKTIONARY
by Abasili Nkemjika Kingsley 15 May '25

15 May '25

Dear Wikimedians, We are excited to share that Wikifunctions will soon be deployed on Igbo Wiktionary! Wikifunctions is a very important tool which will allow us to easily create and integrate functions (e.g., calculations, conversions, or word declensions) into pages, simplifying complex tasks with just a few clicks. To ensure a smooth rollout, a briefing session has been scheduled: Date: Thursday, 22 May 2025 Time: 15:00 UTC (4:00 PM WAT) Register to Attend: https://shorturl.at/uoICA 🔗 Learn More: Wikifunctions Introduction (https://w.wiki/8UH6) Project Homepage (https://w.wiki/78KF) Your participation and feedback are invaluable! Let us work together to empower Igbo Wiktionary with this innovation. Thank you and kind regards, Kingsley Nkem FOR: IGBO WIKIMEDIANS USER GROUP

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Open workshop on global trends and Wikimedia
by Natalia Szafran 15 May '25

15 May '25

Hi everyone, Wikimedia Foundation invites you to join an online workshop about global trends impacting Wikimedia <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Annual_Plan/2025-2026/…> on Wednesday, 28 May from 16:00 - 17:00 UTC. This discussion is part of the Foundation’s continuous conversation series <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Annual_Plan/2025-2026/…> supporting annual planning, and aimed at scoping and prioritizing work together. We’ll in particular be looking at topics like: - What neutrality means for Wikipedia in today’s world - AI, bots, and the changing ways we produce and consume information - Sustainability of the Wikimedia communities - The declining number of users with extended rights on Wikimedia projects After a short introduction, we’ll work in smaller groups to answer critical questions and develop solutions. All community members in good standing are welcome to join, but please register in advance. Spanish and Portuguese interpretation will be available during the call. Register here to be part of the conversation: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Global_Trends_Community_Workshop Best, -- *Natalia Szafran-Kozakowska* (she/her) Senior Global Movement Communications Specialist (European Region) Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>

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Re: Registration for the Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2025 is open
by Μαρκέλλος 15 May '25

15 May '25

Dear all, The Organising Committee of the Wikimedia CEE Meeting2025 is delighted to announce the opening of the registration for this year'sconference. Affiliation and community delegates can register forthe meeting until June 15th. All other self-funded participants can registeruntil July 31st. The registration and scholarship application formwhich runs on Pretix, a free, open-sourced third-party platform that helpsorganize and manage events, can be found here. Details on how to select delegates and the selectionprocess can be found on the registration page. Please keep in mind that the official language of theconference is English and interpreting services will not be available. If you encounter any issues while registering, or havequestions about the registration process, feel free to contact the coordinationteam via wmceem2025(a)wikimedia.gr. Best regards, Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2025 Organising Team | | |

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Universal Code of Conduct Coordinating Committee (U4C) Election 2025
by Adrian Raddatz 14 May '25

14 May '25

Hello Wikimedia-l, I am here to inform you that the 2025 election for the U4C are now open for candidates! If you are interested in serving on a coordinating committee responsible for the application of the Universal Code of Conduct, please head over to https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Coordinating_Comm… to read more about the election. The call for candidates will be open from May 14 to May 28, 2025. Voting on candidates will occur between June 1 and June 15. New members of the U4C will be sworn in shortly after that. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask here or on the election talk page. I have linked the talk page and the U4C info page below for additional information. Thanks, Adrian (User:Ajraddatz), on behalf of the U4C [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Coordinating_Comm… [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Coordinating… [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Universal_Code_of_Conduct/Coordinating_Comm…

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[Events] Join us for Wiki Workshop 2025- Final Reminder
by Kinneret Gordon 13 May '25

13 May '25

Hello everyone, We're very excited for the 12th edition of Wiki Workshop happening next week on *Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 14:00 to 18:00 UTC and Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 11:00 to 15:00 UTC*. The program and the full schedule, including the list of accepted extended abstracts, are under the Attendees tab at wikiworkshop.org. *Registration is free* and will remain open until 24 hours before the workshop begins. You can register here: https://pretix.eu/wikimedia/wikiworkshop2025/. A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s workshop so far. We’re looking forward to spending time together next week. Warm regards, The Wiki Workshop 2025 Organizing Team

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