[Wikimedia-l] Big Fat Brussels Gathering

[rupert THURNER]

hi jan,

nice to hear that! i am wondering how such very active advocacy fits
with wikimedia's educational, non-political mission statement, and how
you plan to work with dedicated platforms like lobbyplag [1][2]

[1] http://lobbyplag.eu/
[2] http://www.zeit.de/digital/datenschutz/2013-02/lobbyplag-plattform-ausbau
(de)

rupert

On Tue, Feb 19, 2013 at 6:06 PM, Jan Engelmann
<jan.engelmann at wikimedia.de> wrote:
> tl;dr Issues like copyright are crucial for us. So let’s join forces
> in Brussels to make a difference. All we need is a bunch of smart
> people.
>
> Dear fellow Wikimedians,
>
> it’s been quite some time since we have talked on various occasions
> about the need for the European Wikimedia chapters to join their
> forces in the political arena. Regarding the threats for Free
> Knowledge which derive from harmful legislation, it just might be the
> right moment to reassess our current practices and take a huge step
> forward, as a loose combination of chapter representatives and
> volunteers.
>
> An according EU policy project is already being prepared. User:Dimi z
> [1], a Wikimedian currently based in Brussels, versed and active in
> political affairs, did the hard job to gather the required amount of
> information to finally get started. He created a document on Meta [2]
> which might serve as a starting point to exchange and develop ideas.
>
> == What’s at stake? ==
>
> Concerning European regulations, we have to develop a clear and
> unified position on major legislative and political changes affecting
> our mission, which is to create a better environment for Free
> Knowledge. Building upon the tremendous efforts of Brussels-based NGOs
> like EDRI [3] and La Quadrature Du Net [4], we should take the job to
> speak for the Wikimedia movement and its particular role in, let’s
> say, the ongoing Copyright Wars.
>
> To build a sustainable model for advocacy it is necessary to
>
> * monitor EU policy proceedings and initiatives
> * comprehensively inform the participating chapters and communities
> about EU dossiers
> * initiate discussions about what is desirable or might be risky for Wikimedia
> * take action where necessary
> * reach out to like-minded projects and communities
>
> == OK, point taken. But HOW shall we do this? ==
>
> Firstly, we are dedicated to a culture of sharing and a significant
> level of transparency. So we need to work in Brussels in accordance to
> our principles which differ remarkably from the “black box” approach
> usually applied by industry representatives.
>
> Secondly, we are searching for an organizational basis that follows
> our capacities. So let’s come up with a smart, inclusive structure
> that ensures easy access and leaves enough space for latecomers or
> people that engage only occasionally.
>
> Thirdly, we need someone on site. Since we have to give established
> institutions and public officials a face, a name, and a direct way to
> contact us, a specific contact person in Brussels would be more than
> useful. S/he needs to know everything about the drafting process of
> relevant directives and regulations, find access to political parties
> and hangs out in the preferred bars of staff members working for
> Neelie Kroes, Michael Barnier or Androulla Vassiliou.
>
> == In a nutshell: Imagine a working group, which ==
>
> * does lobbying - but in full disclosure, on the open stage
> * seeks strategic alliances, but not only with affiliated organizations
> * partly consists of full-time-employees, but heavily relies on
> volunteer-engagement
>
> == Interested in being a part of it? ==
>
> Let’s get started and talk about this challenge! Your input and ideas
> on the aforementioned Meta page are highly appreciated. To discuss the
> working methods of an EU Policy Group and develop a project plan
> together, we suggest to meet face-to-face in Brussels for one day and
> a half. Wikimedia Deutschland would be happy to organize this
> kick-off-gathering in March/April. We’d like to ask interested
> Wikimedians to join us there. Please use the doodle below to identify
> the most suitable date:
>
> http://doodle.com/ntiz6gup7z49e7p5
>
> (Please choose either a friday/saturday or saturday/sunday option.)
>
> Looking forward to seeing you all in Brussels,
>
> Jan Engelmann
>
> [1] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dimi_z
> [2] http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/EU_Policy
> [3] http://www.edri.org/
> [4] http://www.laquadrature.net/
>
>
> --
> Jan Engelmann
> Leiter Politik & Gesellschaft
> -------------------------------------
> Wikimedia Deutschland e.V.
> Obentrautstr. 72
> 10963 Berlin
>
> Telefon 030 - 219 158 26-0
> www.wikimedia.de
>
> Stellen Sie sich eine Welt vor, in der jeder Mensch an der Menge allen
> Wissens frei teilhaben kann. Helfen Sie uns dabei!
> http://spenden.wikimedia.de/
>
> **** Helfen Sie mit, dass WIKIPEDIA von der UNESCO als erstes
> digitales Weltkulturerbe anerkannt wird. Unterzeichnen Sie die
> Online-Petition! http://wikipedia.de ****
>
> Wikimedia Deutschland - Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e. V.
> Eingetragen im Vereinsregister des Amtsgerichts Berlin-Charlottenburg
> unter der Nummer 23855 Nz. Als gemeinnützig anerkannt durch das
> Finanzamt für Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/681/51985.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Wikimedia-l mailing list
> Wikimedia-l at lists.wikimedia.org
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l