Dear Wikimedia friends,

Following Christian’s invitation two weeks ago and Daniela’s and Wenke’s email some minutes ago, we will now provide you with information regarding program related next steps of the Wikimedia Conference 2017 (WMCON17). A more detailed version of this email can be found on Meta. Please use the talk pages for your questions and comments.[1]

Together with you, we want to make this Wikimedia Conference a great experience for all participants. Cornelius Kibelka (Program and Engagement Coordinator, PEC) and Nicole Ebber (International Advisor, Curator of WMCON) will work together with the facilitators as well as the participants to create the conference program in the coming weeks and months. The conference will have three programmatic tracks:

== 1: Movement Strategy ==

Developing a strategic vision for the future of our movement is one of the top priorities for 2017. Although the Wikimedia Foundation is playing the primary coordinating role, this is meant to be a community process with involvement from across the movement, and all volunteers interested in engaging in its development are invited and strongly encouraged to participate. The Wikimedia Conference will serve as one of the platforms for participation and input from movement affiliates and allies.

== 2: Movement Partnerships ==

Wikimedia organizations and groups have a wide variety of experiences and knowledge in working with partners to achieve our mission. However, we have never talked about what kind of partnerships we can build nor how an excellent partnership looks like. Being able to achieve our mission together with movement and external partners has been the subject of occasional sessions at past WMCONs. This time we will deepen the conversation, try to develop a joint language and understanding of partnerships and open up opportunities for peer sharing and consultation.

== 3: Capacity Building & Learning ==

Based on the experiences of the last Wikimedia Conferences, we will have again a programmatic track that focuses on shared learning and buildings capacities among Wikimedia organizations and groups. Learning sessions will be built according to the needs, wishes, experiences and knowledge expressed in the registration form.

== How to select the delegates ==

WMCON is all about participation. To make the conference a success it will be essential for the invited affiliates to deliberately select their delegates. Participants should come to Berlin to learn and to share, but also to bring the information and learnings back home. We are seeking delegates who will be actively engaged before, during and after the conference and can represent their affiliates. Ideal delegates are those who are involved in the decision making processes in the organization, striving to help shape the future of the movement, partnerships specialists or program leaders[2].

== How to prepare for the registration ==

Registration has opened today and closes on January 8, 2017. In the months between the registration and WMCON, the PEC will work on the program with the registered participants. Because we want to build the program to fit participant needs and experiences, we would like to learn a little more about your interests in advance. We have published an overview of the questions[3] that we are using in the registration form. Please make yourself familiar with these questions, as they can also help you to select the delegates.

== What’s next ==

We have opened the registration today. Daniela Gentner will be the main contact for all questions regarding the logistics, you can reach out to her via wmcon@wikimedia.de.

Cornelius Kibelka is your main contact for all questions related to the program of the Wikimedia Conference. You can contact him via cornelius.kibelka@wikimedia.de.

We are looking forward to welcoming many of you in Berlin in March next year.

Nicole + Cornelius

[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2017/Program_Design_Pro...

[2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2017/Program_Design_Pro...

[3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Conference_2017/Program_Design_Pro...