Re: [Wikimania-l] Wikimania - annually, with South Africa in 2018?

Attendee safety has always been, and will continue to be, a serious consideration.

I will note that Wikimania has been held in Mexico, Egypt and Israel with similar concerns for those locations. Those places all show up in the Global Peace Index list of most dangerous countries, and we found ways to hold successful conferences there. There is no guarantee that a South Africa location would be without issues, but it does show that we are not in unfamiliar territory when considering these types of risks.

Thanks. -Andrew

-Andrew Lih Associate professor of journalism, American University Email: andrew@andrewlih.com WEB: http://www.andrewlih.com BOOK: The Wikipedia Revolution: http://www.wikipediarevolution.com PROJECT: Wiki Makes Video http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Wiki_Makes_Video

On Sat, Jul 9, 2016 at 5:21 AM, Harry Mitchell hjmwiki@gmail.com wrote:

I find the idea of holding Wikimania in sub-Saharan Africa quite exciting. It would potentially be a very different sort of event, and it would have the chance to leave a lasting legacy. Speaking of South Africa, though, is it unfair of me to say to that the country has a reputation for lawlessness and violent crime? Is this something the powers that be will take into consideration?

Harry Mitchell http://enwp.org/User:HJ +44 (0) 7507 536 971 Skype: harry_j_mitchell

On Sat, Jul 9, 2016 at 12:05 AM, Florence Devouard fdevouard@gmail.com wrote:

...

Oh. Good point !

The term "interest" referred to Wikimedia South Africa, which expressed interest into etc.

During Wikimania, various groups were approached by us (by Ellie). And other groups approached us. To express their interest in holding Wikimania in the future.

For example, on Sunday evening, at Pizzeria 51, a few minutes before the sky decided to fall on our heads, I was told Bangkok was interested for 2020 !

Florence

Le 08/07/16 à 21:50, Lodewijk a écrit :

...

Thanks for the clarification, Florence. If I may ask another: the 'interest' expressed, does that refer to interest expressed by South-African Wikimedians, or by the Committee?

Best, Lodewijk

2016-07-08 21:38 GMT+02:00 Florence Devouard <fdevouard@gmail.com mailto:fdevouard@gmail.com>:

Le 08/07/16 à 16:01, Chris Keating a écrit :

    Hoi,

    I was interested to read the minutes of the most recent Wikimania
    Committee meeting, which decided that Wikimania will be held
    annually
    from now on, and that it will be in sub-Saharan Africa

(effectively meaning South Africa) in 2018.

Pointing out that the minutes do not say that it will be in
sub-Saharan Africa. It says

"The CfP should identify the priority given for that year to
Sub-Saharan Africa, noting that there is expressed interest in
hosting in the Republic of South Africa. "

The difference is subtle, but there is a difference.
The committee actually drafted an official announcement, which was
supposed to be published quickly after the committee minutes.
But we have been asked to refrain from publishing our announcement
until after the WMF has been consulted on the matter.

I am happy to disclose the sentence currently drafted for our (not
yet published) announcement, which is

"Considering this, the Committee has a mild preference for
Sub-Saharan Africa for 2018, but is of course willing to look at
proposals for hosting Wikimania 2018 in other locations. "


Florence

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania_Committee/Minutes/2016-06-26

    Interestingly, I couldn't see any sign of the Committee's
    decision being
    informed by the WMF's consultation on the future of Wikimania,
    or anyone
    from the WMF's community engagement department being present.

    I have to say I'm a bit confused, not least about who actually
    makes the
    decision about how frequently Wikimania happens. Is anyone able
    to shed
    any more light on this?

    Thanks,

    Chris


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