Dear Wikimedians,

We hope this email finds you well. We invite you to join the next episode of WikiAfrica Hour "Wiki Conferences behind the scenes”

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?

Conferences have a pivotal role in the Wikimedia movement as gatherings of people to share, discuss and celebrate!

This episode will shed light on conferences in the wikimedia community behind the scenes. We will discuss with guests different teams who are in charge of the approval of conferences and preparation of the resources and settings.

Points which will be discussed:

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The importance of conferences and their themes -

The logistics needed to organise the conference (the start, the team, the budget, responsibilities) -

How we prepare for a safe & constructive environment before the conference starts.

Who are the guest speakers?

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Reda Kerbouche https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Reda_Kerbouche: He organized several Wiki-events such as WikiArabia 2022 in Dubai (UAE) and 2024 in Muscat (Oman) and several non wiki related conferences like "Rêvons l'Algérie". -

Geoffrey Kateregga https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kateregga1: Member of Communications Committee of WikiIndaba 2024. With experience in organising many events and conferences -

Cornelius Kibelka https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:CKibelka_(WMF): For several years, he has worked at Wikimedia Deutschland, where he was responsible for organizing the Wikimedia Conference/Wikimedia Summit. 2020-2022 Cornelius worked at the Wikimedia Foundation, as part of the Movement Strategy team, mainly organizing virtual events and processes, before he joined WMF again in 2024 as a Conference Fund Program Officer. -

Vanj Padilla https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Lady01v: Member of Conference Support Committee https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Conference_Grants/Committee, Wikimania 2021, Core Organizing Team Member, Wikimania 2023, Co-Organizer, Wikiwomen Summit @Wikimania 2023. -

Dumisani Ndubane https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Thuvack: Organised the 1st Wiki Indaba in 2014. He is currently board chair of WhoseKnowledge, as well as advisor to WMZA and WISCOM.

Hosting them Lodewijk https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Effeietsanders: he has edited the Dutch Wikipedia since 2005, organized Wiki Loves Monuments for many years and organized both national and international Wikimedia events. He currently serves in the Wikimania Committee.

When and where will the episode take place?

Data: Friday 29th November

Time: 16:00 UTC

Join us LIVE on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6cEk6XZR58.

You can also register in the event tool here https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:WAH_Episode_40_-_Wiki_Conferences_behind_the_scenes

Looking forward to seeing you!