Dear all,
If we really want to "critically question colonial and unequitable
systems", maybe we should question the way Wikimedia has become an adjunct
to US Big Tech, actively partnering with these firms to help them expand
their inequitable and tax-evading business practices into less well-off
countries that really could do with tax income to fund health and education
systems.
Here is some reading:
On Wikimedia's Big Tech partnerships see e.g.:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_Wikimedia_Foundation_and_Google…
https://diff.wikimedia.org/2019/01/22/google-and-wikimedia-foundation-partn…
https://inc42.com/features/can-wikipedia-overcome-gender-gap-as-it-looks-to…
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Enterprise
On Big Tech's tax-dodging:
"The world’s largest and most successful companies, including Google,
Amazon and Facebook, are avoiding paying taxes in the countries where they
operate. Instead, they shift their profits and hide in tax havens." –
https://www.libdems.org.uk/a21-f7-towards-a-fair-global-corporation-tax-sys…
"India, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria and Bangladesh are the countries with
the highest tax gaps involving these three companies. –
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/26/big-tech-accused-of-avoidi…
"Big Tech companies like those examined in the report have users and
customers all around the globe. But the structure of international
corporate tax laws means that companies tend to pay taxes in the countries
where they are headquartered. For most Big Tech companies, this means the
global North, particularly in the United States." –
https://www.dw.com/en/fairer-taxes-on-big-tech-could-cover-cost-to-vaccinat…
This economic system has exactly the same effect as colonialism did: wealth
from poorer countries flowing to a rich one.
So while we're patting ourselves on the shoulders for decrying colonialism,
we're actively supporting the 21st-century version of it. There's a word
for that kind of double-think.
Andreas
On Fri, Apr 8, 2022 at 1:35 PM Nicola Zeuner <nicola.zeuner(a)wikimedia.de>
wrote:
Dear All,
Wikimedia Deutschland's Movement Strategy and Global Relations team is
excited to announce the launch of our new podcast on all things Movement
Strategy: WIKIMOVE
The podcast will be a forum for open and frank conversations about topics
related to movement strategy.
The first episode will be available next week on the WMDE website and the
WIKIMOVE Meta page. <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WIKIMOVE>
Make sure to subscribe on Meta
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WIKIMOVE/Suscribe> to get notified for
each episode.
In 2017 our movement produced a strategic direction, and in 2020
recommendations were published that shed light on the changes that the free
knowledge movement will need to make to stay relevant and grow in size and
diversity. Change is never easy. We hope that the conversations in the
podcast will inspire people, and open up opportunities for thinking and
working together.
What will WIKIMOVE be about?
The topics we discuss will dance around the strategic direction, the
recommendations, the principles, the initiatives. But we will also look up
(or out) and examine larger issues and concepts from the knowledge
ecosystem or beyond that are relevant to the transformation of the
Wikimedia movement. By creating this space we hope to let the audience know
about the latest happenings, new ideas, present opportunities to
participate, contribute and provide feedback. We hope that new ideas are
born from the conversations and collaborations are kick-started.
What can you expect of WIKIMOVE ?
The show will be a space for respectful exchange and mutual support.
Looking into the future, optimistically, rather than complaining about the
past or present. While paying respect to the ‘old’ movement, critically
questioning colonial and unequitable systems, structures, policies,
narratives and habits. Shining a light on those who try new things, develop
innovations, whether they succeed or fail while doing so. Iteration,
ambiguity, and uncertainty are welcome. We especially welcome people with
questions, and don’t expect ready made solutions.
Who are the guests?
People who are working on 2030 initiatives, or are participating in our
governance reform, people who come from underrepresented communities,
people from other movements who have experiences and inspiration to share.
We aim to strengthen mutuality and solidarity and to show that there are
people inside and outside of our movement that have already developed
solutions for our challenges and questions.
Who are the hosts?
Nicole Ebber and Nikki Zeuner from Wikimedia Deutschland’s Movement
Strategy and Global Relations team will be hosting the show.
When can I hear this?
The first episode will be released next week, both as an audio podcast and
a shorter video version. It features Tochi Precious and Guillaume Paumier,
discussing knowledge as a service. Stay tuned!!!
Nikki Zeuner
Senior Advisor Global Partnerships
Wikimedia Deutschland e. V. | Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 | 10963 Berlin
Tel. (030) 219 158 26-32
Mobile (0151) 50824711
https://wikimedia.de
Unsere Vision ist eine Welt, in der alle Menschen am Wissen der Menschheit
teilhaben, es nutzen und mehren können. Helfen Sie uns dabei!
https://spenden.wikimedia.de
Bleiben Sie auf dem neuesten Stand! Aktuelle Nachrichten und spannende
Geschichten rund um Wikimedia, Wikipedia und Freies Wissen im Newsletter: Zur
Anmeldung <https://www.wikimedia.de/newsletter/>.
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.
_______________________________________________
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