Hi. We at Wikimedia Ukraine are preparing a longer response to the concerns raised here, but in brief:

* The challenge overall and the CentralNotice campaign in particular were planned long before, as a general effort to enrich Wikipedia on Ukraine-related topics, not as a specific political statement. Its first edition was held last year within similar dates and advertised similarly. Its idea first emerged back in 2018, and we've been actively working to organize it since 2020.

* The challenge is supported by the Ukrainian government, but it has no influence on the content of articles, and neither does Wikimedia Ukraine. All participants have to follow relevant Wikipedia rules. Organizers only provide suggested topics for the challenge and prizes for most active participants (dependent on the level of activity, not the content of articles they created), as well as contribute to promotion efforts. Hopefully, we'll be able to ship physical prizes despite the Russian aggression; otherwise, we'll find other ways to award winners.

* On a personal note – advancing free knowledge by creating and expanding Wikipedia articles is a powerful tool to fight authoritarianism and unfreedom. Regardless of whether you want to support Ukraine (as I think the world should do), developing free knowledge in all ways compatible with Wikipedia principles and rules is the goal we're all united around.

Best Regards

Anton Protsiuk

Programs Coordinator at Wikimedia Ukraine

On Thu, Feb 24, 2022 at 2:30 PM Andy Mabbett <andy@pigsonthewing.org.uk> wrote:

On Thu, 24 Feb 2022 at 00:58, 4nn1l2 <4nn1l2.wiki@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> The timing of this campaign is of real concern and not prudent, I think, especially for those of us who strive for neutrality.

Neutrality doesn't mean we pander to aggressors. HTH.

--
Andy Mabbett
@pigsonthewing
http://pigsonthewing.org.uk
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