[Foundation-l] Concern for the safety of Wikimedians at Wikimania in Alex...

[Mark Williamson]

As regards Africa, IANAE, but I always got the impression that there
were certain places on every continent we would certainly prefer to
hold in terms of safety, for example Seychelles, Mauritius, or Cape
Verde. If this means preferring Canada when we look to North America,
I don't care - why not hold it in Canada? For example, if we hold it
in Central America (although technically part of North America), why
wouldn't we hold it in Costa Rica?

On the flip side, there are people who argue that we NEED to have it
in oppressive countries, that this is a good thing.

Why don't we hold it in Somalia then? How about Eritrea? Why don't we
have a Wikimania Tripoli?

When it comes to South America, why aren't we planning a Wikimania Havana?

Obviously, that is an invalid argument. Outreach in such countries may
be important, but that does not equate to holding our Wikimania there.

Mark

On 04/03/2008, Andrew Whitworth <wknight8111 at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 1:56 PM, Gerard Meijssen
> <gerard.meijssen at gmail.com> wrote:
> >  The notion of me talking about "special interests" is something I dismiss.
>
> You said, and I'm quoting:
>
> "My point is not that we should not consider South Africa for next year, my
> point is that all places have their issues and once you start to exclude
> countries for what is problematic to some there are few places where we can
> have our Wikimania. In pandering to special interests we exclude many people
> and countries and that is both a travesty and a tragedy given what we aim to
> do."
>
> My interpretation of this is that taking into account things that are
> "problematic to some" involves "pandering to special interests".
> Correct me if my interpretation of this is wrong, and maybe consider
> correcting yourself if you misspoke.
>
> >  I wonder about the ease in which you come to the conclusion that the
> >  organisers do not consider the safety for the people who come to Wikimania.
> >  I find this rather disappointing and you are likely to be wrong.
>
> It is with no great ease. I've been patiently watching this thread,
> and many like it, for several days now. Many concerns have been
> brought up by many people, and all of them have been quickly
> dismissed. Florence said that she would bring the issue up at the next
> board meeting, but a plan to try and address it is not the same as
> actually addressing the issue. My primary concern is for the safety my
> fellow Wikimedians, and I want to make damn certain that people are
> taking this issue seriously. A "we can never be completely safe, so
> why bother trying" attitude, and vague warnings about staying with the
> group hardly constitute proper consideration. If you find this concern
> of mine to be "disappointing", then I have nothing further to say to
> you about it.
>
> --Andrew Whitworth
>
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