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.