CIS-A2K/Events/Wikimedia projects orientation session at Tata Trust's Vikas Anvesh Foundation, Pune

We all know that vast amount of training material, case studies are produced in development sector. But it is not available to society at large. It is restricted to NGOs, funding agencies etc. for project period. If it is brought in Wikimedia projects, it will be searchable and could be linked to various articles also as reference resource. Around this theme the orientation session was conducted.

Background

edit

Vikas Anvesh Foundation (VAF) is an initiative of Tata Trusts. The mandate says - VAF primarily aims to contribute to action and practice while simultaneously contributing to knowledge creation. This common goal brought VAF and CIS-A2K together. To explore more possibilities of content enrichment in Wikimedia projects, this event was conducted.

Objectives

edit
  • To know each-other and explore collaboration areas
  • Introduction to Wikimedia projects
  • To discuss the knowledge gaps and needs

Event details

edit

Date : 12 February 2019
Time : 11AM to 2PM
Place : Pune, Maharashtra, India
Venue : Vikas Anvesh Foundation office at Bawdhan

Facilitators

edit
  • Dr. Ajit Kanitkar
  • Subodh Kulkarni

Participants

edit
  1. Siva Muthuprakash
  2. Archana Chandola
  3. Abhijeet Jadhav
  4. Gyanesh Nanore
  5. Ishita Lohani
  6. Sumana Acharya
  7. Vaishanvi Pawar
  8. Kailas Kokre

Report

edit

The researchers at VAF presented their publications in the form of study reports, papers in journals and conferences and datasets. Advisor Ajit Kanitkar presented story of 'Gems of Purest Ray Serene', a book about the life stories of twenty-two outstanding Indian social workers. The content of the book is uploaded on VAF's website socialworkindia.in which is freely downloadable. The book is published in Marathi & Hindi language also.

 
Discussion about dissemination of VAF's content through Wikimedia projects

After the presentations from VAF, CIS-A2K facilitator presented different Wikimedia projects.In the discussions, it was realised that Wikipedia articles related to social issues and development sector lack reliable references. The research work on VAF website can be linked as references. The publications could be uploaded on Wikisource for wider reach. The images and videos during the work can also be uploaded on Commons.

Follow-up

edit

VAF will discuss the process of content donation with management and decide on the further steps. The training regarding Wikipedia editing and Commons uploads would be planned.