1) The fact we will hold Wikimania in a country does not mean we support
the politics of a country.
2) Freedom is not only about dealing with those who have freedom, it is
also about helping the poorly free to be more free.
This is not a political conference. The WMF projects don't exist to
create a political solution to a government. When it comes to
diversity, everyone needs to be considered. I think the title of
Jimbo's speech he plans says enough about "politics"
3) Egypt is in too close proximity to several areas which are in a near
constant war: Israel and Palestine, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and
Afghanistan...not to mention holding this is the Middle East puts (for
the most part) Americans at risk and the rest at risk for a prime target
of violence or an attack. Was safety considered when making this decision?
Yes
As several people already mentionned, there is violence everywhere.
Most places are a bit unsafe when one does not have the right color, the
right gender or the right religion.
There is a slight difference. We are talking about extremists. People
who make a living out of blowing people up. They are born to kill. And
when you are in a region where that is happening on almost a daily
basis, I think that needs to be taken into consideration.
Here, I will try very very very hard to stay polite and calm, but I
think this comment somehow implying that jury members are picking the
place to go on holidays at the right place, is seriously offending.
In general, those organizing Wikimania work like HELL during Wikimania.
This is not holidays. They work a lot, they sleep little and they do not
have the time to have fun around.
Second, regarding travel costs, whatever the place we will choose on
Earth, it will always be more expensive for some and less expensive for
others. Which is one of the reason for rotation.
5) The "jury" was composed of, from what I see, 12 individuals who in
some way or another "work" for WMF (and that does NOT necessarily mean
getting paid). I see IMO a conflict of interest. The other 2 seem to be
just contributers, which is what most of this jury should have been
composed of. After all this is a conference for all Wikis.
No. The Foundation is ultimately responsible for this conference. By
responsible, for example, understand that if money is necessary, the WMF
pays for it. There is no way WMF will agree to be ultimately responsible
for the organization of a conference in a location where it has not had
any right of say. There is no conflict of interest here. When an
organization hold a conference, it is normal it is involved in the
decision making of that conference. For example, WMF will approve the
budget. There will be no conflict of interest there.
Incidently, this is not a conference for all Wikis, this is the
conference of Wikimedia Foundation projects. Makes a huge difference.
Now, if YOU want to organize a conference on wikis in the USA, please
do. But be aware you will be responsible of the set up, of the budget,
of the program etc...
We should not forget that besides the server side and what
not...including the organization of Wikimania, the contributers are
what drive the WMF's projects. Without contributers, where would the
projects be?
I am NOT against ever having a Wikimania in the Middle East or
eventually in Egypt. But right now, it's not the right time. We need to
think about how diverse our contributers are and base a decision off
that. In my opinion there are a lot better, safer and more
"geo-diversed" places than somewhere where there is a potential for
people to be injured or killed or go broke just getting there.
Jason Safoutin, (a.k.a. DragonFire1024 on en.wikinews)
Right now, Wikimania will occur in the Middle East. Period.
If you are not happy about that, you may
* not come
* organize a conference in the USA as well
Both options are fine by me.
Ant
I am not the only one not happy about it. I think that the jury may not
have realized the extent of the LGBT community on WMF projects. I know
I did. But as much as anyone else, I can speak out against such
decision. I have that freedom....some people don't.