Jason Safoutin wrote:
Well I am going to put my two cents in because I have
read just about
enough.
Here is why I am entirely opposed to Wikimania being in Egypt.
1) Since the announcement of this, the LGBT wikimedians have expressed
grave concern. As mentioned previously, this is a regime in which
"opresses" homosexuals and imprisons them. Me being gay, I am not sure I
would want to risk that. Not to mention my partner, if I had one and he
came, but yet the WMF states that they picked Egypt because of its
"geo-diversity
<http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimania-l/2007-October/000719.html>."
No. Geodiversity was one criteria amongst 12.
2) Human rights and "free" speech (free
being the key word). Why hold a
conference of a foundation that is based entirely on FREE media when
that country and the government don't even support free speech? Why in
an country that limits the rights of women and humans in general? What
is so "free" about that?
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.
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.
4) Who are these people on the "jury
<http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania_2008/Jury>"? I mean I know
their names, but who are they. Are they wealthy? Travel the world
frequently? Seems like it because in my opinion this place was picked
because it was somewhere they decided it would be nice to visit. More
than half of all wikimedians will likely NOT be able to afford the trip,
in some cases from literally on the other side of the globe. Might as
well rob a bank for the finances.
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...
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