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

[Gerard Meijssen]

Hoi,
Is it really that obvious ? I would happily go to Eritrea or Cuba. Somalia
is something else again.
Thanks,
     GerardM

On Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:36 PM, Mark Williamson <node.ue at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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>
>
> --
> Refije dirije lanmè yo paske nou posede pwòp bato.
>
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