> <
michael.jahn@wikimedia.de <mailto:
michael.jahn@wikimedia.de>> wrote:
>
> Hello everybody,
>
> media coverage of "Wikipedia for World Heritage!" increases and
> so do questions from the press. Many of them are likely to
> reappear time after time and internationally. Since Itzik and
> Ted asked for something like this, here is a preliminary draft
> of FAQs about Wikipedia for World Heritage that we adapted after
> the first media reactions came in last week. Maybe it is useful
> to share some basic external communication outline.
>
> Please, feel free to improve and extend this draft! Let's work
> on this together.
>
> Best
> Michael
>
>
> *Why do you want Wikipedia to be recognized as a World Cultural
> Heritage site? The UNESCO Memory of the World seems more
> appropriate.*
>
> We are convinced that Wikipedia fits all three UNESCO
> categories: World Cultural Heritage, Intangible Cultural
> Heritage and Memory of the World. However, we want to start the
> application for World Cultural Heritage precisely because of the
> underlying World Heritage Convention. The Convention dates back
> to 1972. It refers to "sites" as candidates for World Heritage
> in a completely non-digital context. Enhanced meanings of the
> concept, like the possibility of a "website", could not have
> been thought of back then. Those evolved later. Today digital
> sites have a profound impact on all areas of interest. Culture
> is one of them. Wikipedia allows for a global collaborative
> interchange of knowledge. It is unprecedented and truly a
> "masterpiece of human creative genius". These latter words are
> quoted from the first UNESCO criterion for World Heritage
> recognition. It fits Wikipedia today and had the free
> encyclopedia been what it is today in 1972, the World Heritage
> Convention would likely have been composed differently.
>
>
> *It is very unlikely that you will reach your goal. What if you
> fail?*
>
> When Wikipedia came to life ten years ago, most people deemed it
> impossible to create a valuable encyclopedia that could be
> edited by anyone. The concepts of free knowledge and
> collaborative amateur work seemed implausible. The critics have
> been proven wrong. We believe that it is also possible to have
> the largest collection of human knowledge recognized as a World
> Heritage. The formal application process takes years. If we
> fail, it will be after years of careful consideration and
> valuable discussions about the meaning that free knowledge has
> in modern society.
>
> *
> *
>
> *World Heritage sites are meant to be preserved. What is it
> about Wikipedia that you think should be protected?*
>
> Wikipedia is the largest evolving collection of human knowledge.
> Its defining quality is openness, the greatest good of free
> knowledge. We must secure free access to Wikipedia in the future.
>
>
> *But Wikipedia's content is edited all the time! How could you
> preserve it?*
>
> This is not about preserving the content of Wikipedia in a
> specific state. What needs to be preserved is access to free
> knowledge. Every single article can be edited or deleted. This
> has been the core of the free encyclopedia from the very start.
> It has enabled a level of participation beyond anything the
> sharing of knowledge has ever known. We need to preserve
> Wikipedia's open character and the unique possibility it gives
> humanity to constantly improve and share in the sum of its
> knowledge.
>
>
> *Aren't you doing this for publicity reasons only?*
>
> We are serious about the initiative. We want Wikipedia to be
> recognized as World Heritage. Publicity means public awareness
> of Wikipedia and free knowledge. Even today many people do not
> know how to contribute to the free encyclopedia or its sister
> projects. Increased public awareness means more information. The
> more people discuss the projects and get interest in details,
> the better. Wikimedia Chapters all over the world support the
> global community with numerous activities and projects. We want
> to create awareness and acceptance for what Wikipedia really is.
> It is more than just a convenient way to access tons of
> information for free. Wikipedia is at the front of the free
> knowledge movement. We want to take the chance and educate
> people regarding the concept behind Wikipedia.
>
> *
> *
>
> *Only ten years have passed since Wikipedia was founded. Is it
> not too soon to apply for World Heritage recognition?*
>
> The fact that Wikipedia as a project is this young**makes its
> accomplishments all the more fascinating. Wikipedia is here to
> stay. In only ten years Wikipedia has reshaped access to
> knowledge for millions and millions of people all over the
> world. It is a pioneer of the digital age. The ten year
> anniversary is a good opportunity to take a step back and look
> at what hundreds of thousands of volunteers have achieved so
> far. **A perfect opportunity to take a look ahead, as well. What
> can we do to realize our vision of enabling each and everybody
> to share in the sum of all knowledge!? One answer is: Make
> people aware of the cultural impact Wikipedia has.
>
> **
>
> *Why apply to this particular institution, the UNESCO?*
>
> The UNESCO World Heritage agreement is the most successful
> agreement on the protection of culture and nature that the
> international community has ever reached.187 countries have
> signed it.
>
> **
>
> *Who is in charge of the project?*
>
> The international community. The idea was developed in Germany,
> but this is an international project. All Wikimedia Chapters are
> invited to participate. Many of them have already joined the
> initiative.
>
> *Which UNESCO World Heritage criteria does Wikipedia meet? *
>
> Some, e.g."the site represents a masterpiece of human creative
> genius". Meeting one is already sufficient in theory. However,
> our main objective is rather to emphasize Wikipedia’s overall
> cultural relevance.
>
> *A petition has been started to support the initiative. That’s
> not the formal way. Does Wikipedia also apply formally for World
> Heritage status? *
>
> Yes! However, the formal process requires years of application
> via national states. Right now a petition signed by people from
> all over the world wonderfully represents the idea behind Wikipedia.
>
>
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> Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
>
> Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Eisenacher Straße 2 | 10777 Berlin
> Tel. (030) 219 158 260
>
> Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch freien
> Zugang zu der Gesamtheit des Wissens der Menschheit hat. Helfen
> Sie uns dabei!
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http://spenden.wikimedia.de/
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> ****Unterstützen Sie Freies Wissen mit einer SMS. Senden Sie
> einfach WIKI an 81190. Mit 5 Euro sichern Sie so die
> Verfügbarkeit und Weiterentwicklung von Wikipedia.****
>
> 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 27/681/51985.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
>
> Wikimedia Deutschland e.V. | Eisenacher Straße 2 | 10777 Berlin
> Tel. (030) 219 158 260
>
> Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch freien
> Zugang zu der Gesamtheit des Wissens der Menschheit hat. Helfen
> Sie uns dabei!
>
>
http://spenden.wikimedia.de/
>
> ****Unterstützen Sie Freies Wissen mit einer SMS. Senden Sie
> einfach WIKI an 81190. Mit 5 Euro sichern Sie so die
> Verfügbarkeit und Weiterentwicklung von Wikipedia.****
>
> 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 27/681/51985.
>
>
>
>
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