ESEAP Conference 2024/Report/Blusjai

I had the privilege of attending the ESEAP Conference 2024, an esteemed international event that occurs biennially, hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. The conference was convened in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia from May 10 to 12, 2024. This marked my inaugural participation in the ESEAP conference since my initiation as a Wikimedian in November 2022.

Big Thanks

I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Wikimedia Foundation for their generosity in providing me with a full sponsorship to attend this conference. Furthermore, being a part of the organising team has been an unparalleled experience, contributing significantly to my professional growth. I look forward to future opportunities to engage and contribute to such impactful events.

The official Wikimedia ESEAP 2024 Banner

Roles

Picture of ESEAP Conference 2024

During the conference, I carried out roles as in below:

Full scholarship recipients from the Wikimedia ESEAP Conference 2024
Wikimedia representative from Wiki Kent Club
Wikimedia representative from the Dusun Kimaragang ethnic group
Logistic team, ESEAP Conference 2024

Therefore, in addition to listening to and learning from the presentation content, I also act as the technical committee for each conference room I enter.

Things learned at the conference

Day 1 of the Conference(10th May 2024)

Opening Ceremony (45 minutes)
me while Opening Ceremony	As planned within the logistics team, I am responsible for managing the live streaming section on YouTube and Zoom throughout the opening ceremony.
Seeding an Ecosystem of Partners – Funding and Beyond (40 minutes)
Presentation speaker	Listening to the presentation “Seeding an ecosystem of partners - funding and beyond” at the ESEAP Conference 2024, I found it to be a comprehensive exploration of partnership models within the Wikimedia movement. The retrospective of the Alliances Fund partners and shared learnings from Wikimania 2023 provided valuable context. Hearing about others’ experiences with partnerships enhanced my understanding of different frameworks for assessing collaborations in the region. The discussions initiated during the session gave me deeper insights into how partnerships can contribute to the Wikimedia movement.
Regional Grants Committee (ESEAP) (20 minutes)
the Timpohon room during the presentation	The session on the “Regional Grants Committee (ESEAP Region)” was enlightening. It clarified how the committee reviews and allocates grants for projects aligned with the Wikimedia mission. The emphasis on fostering community engagement, supporting innovative projects, and promoting diversity and inclusivity resonated with me. The discussion around taking more responsibility and ownership for setting priorities in their regions was particularly insightful. Additionally, involving allied partner organizations and utilizing local community skills was highlighted.
Utilizing Let's Connect in the ESEAP Region (45 minutes)
Let's Connect ESEAP Region Presenter	The session on “Utilizing Let’s Connect in the ESEAP Region” provided highly informative insights. Learning about the potential of the Let’s Connect platform in fostering collaboration and engagement within the Wikimedia community was fascinating. The discussions around challenges and opportunities related to using Let’s Connect offered valuable insights into digital collaboration dynamics across a diverse and geographically dispersed community.
Wikisource Loves Manuscripts: A Partnership Perspective on Collaborative Efforts to Preserve Cultural Heritage (45 minutes)
The audience in Timpohon room	The session on “Wikisource Loves Manuscripts” was enlightening. The Wikisource Loves Manuscripts (WILMA) program’s potential for fostering collaborations among heritage stakeholders stood out. Understanding how partnerships with external organizations can amplify the program’s impact and contribute to preserving cultural heritage was thought-provoking. The lessons learned from the WILMA pilot in Indonesia and the proposed partnership approaches for communities interested in conducting their own WILMA projects underscored the power of community-led initiatives and cross-stakeholder collaboration in cultural preservation.
IPGM Campus Kent Presentation (60 minutes)
IPGM Campus Kent presenting their project	Bridging IPGM Campus Kent’s Collaboration Network With the Community through Wikimedia Kent Wiki Club IPGM Campus Kent: Globalizing Kadazandusun Language and Culture via Wikimedia ESEAP Wikimedia's role in collaborating with IPGM Campus Kent to promote and preserve the Kadazandusun Language Their presentation about globalizing the Kadazandusun language and culture via Wikimedia ESEAP is a remarkable endeavor. Not only does it promote the rich Kadazandusun heritage, but it also leverages the power of digital platforms for cultural preservation. This initiative serves as a testament to the potential of collaborative efforts in bridging cultural gaps and fostering global understanding.
Cultural Village Trip Activities
Local ethnic food at Mari-Mari Village	During the Cultural Village trip, I had the chance to reconnect and build friendships with fellow Wikimedians. Our exchanges of stories and insights from our journeys as contributors to Wikimedia projects were enlightening. Meeting individuals with diverse backgrounds and varying experiences within the Wikimedia community highlighted the advantages of being a Wikimedian. It underscored the importance of volunteerism, which not only benefits individuals but also has a positive impact on local communities and the global movement.

Day 2 of the Conference(11th May 2024)

Challenges in Building Multilingual Technology Platforms (30 minutes)
Online Presenter	In the session on “Challenges in Building Multilingual Technology Platforms,” Jessica Rose presented valuable case studies from Mozilla’s experience building Common Voice. The focus on supporting low-resource and under-represented language communities was particularly enlightening. This session broadened my understanding of the complexities involved in building multilingual technology platforms and the importance of supporting diverse language communities.
Trust and Safety Product - The Road Ahead (30 minutes)
Presentation ongoing	Turning to the session “Trust and Safety Product - The Road Ahead,” MAna_ (WMF) provided an overview of the Trust and Safety Product team’s work. The discussion around the team’s general direction and the problems they are trying to solve was particularly enlightening. This session emphasized the growing concern for communities in the ESEAP region about fighting and preventing abuse, vandalism, and harassment.
Korean Wikidata & Mix'n'Match (45 minutes)
Korean Wikidata & mix'n'match presenter	In the session “Korean Wikidata & Mix’n’Match,” the presenter provided a comprehensive overview of the Korean Wikidata project and the Mix’n’Match tool. This session was particularly enlightening in understanding the potential of Wikidata in enhancing the richness and accessibility of information.
How to Improve the Categorisation of Uploads to Commons (with Particular Emphasis on ESEAP-related Uploads) (45 minutes)
View from Mahua room while session H2 second presentation ongoing	During the workshop “How to Improve the Categorisation of Uploads to Commons,” a seasoned Wikimedia editor from Australia provided a deep dive into the importance of categorising uploads to Wikimedia Commons. This session was a great learning experience, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive categorisation for enhancing the discoverability of files.
Optimizing the Role of Social Media as a Learning and Collaboration Platform (15 minutes)
Room Sayat-Sayat while presentation ongoing	In the session "Optimizing the Role of Social Media as a Learning and Collaboration Platform," a speaker from the Indonesian Wikisource Community shared their journey of using social media as a tool for learning and collaboration. This session provided valuable insights into how social media can be effectively used as a learning and collaboration platform.
Burn out! – Experience of Taiwan GLAM Program (15 minutes)
Taiwan presenter	In the session “Burn out! - Experience of Taiwan GLAM Program,” the speaker shared their experiences and challenges faced while running the GLAM program in Taiwan. This session provided a unique perspective on the challenges faced in running a GLAM program and offered important insights into managing stress and avoiding burnout.
WikiDunong: An Eduwiki Initiative in the Philippines (15 minutes)
Interpreters on duty	The Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group’s WikiDunong initiative aims to promote free knowledge and enhance media and information literacy skills in the Philippines. Through training workshops in schools and non-formal settings, they integrate Wikimedia projects into the learning experience. Their commitment to supporting educators, distributing offline wikis, and empowering youth through programs like Wiki Open High is commendable. Overall, WikiDunong exemplifies collaboration, open knowledge, and co-creation for education in the Philippines.
Beyond Borders, Beyond Images: The Impact of the Commons Photography User Group's Activities and Partnerships on Global Knowledge Sharing (15 minutes)
Interaction with online participant	The ESEAP Conference 2024 session "Beyond Borders, Beyond Images" highlighted the Commons Photographers User Group's significant role in global knowledge sharing. Their activities and partnerships have enriched Wikimedia Commons with diverse, high-quality images, fostering cross-cultural understanding. Their commitment to global knowledge sharing is evident in their recent expansion in the ESEAP region, including collaborations on the WikiCommons Philippines Conference 2023 and the Bikol Wikipedia Conference 2023. This session provided a valuable perspective on the potential of photography in promoting global knowledge sharing, leaving a deep appreciation for the group's initiatives and their impact on the global knowledge ecosystem. It truly embodied the spirit of the conference - "Collaboration Beyond the Horizon".
Creating a Wiki Club in a University & Encouraging Students' Engagement in Wikimedia Projects (15 minutes)
Discussion between participant during the session	Finally, in the session “Creating a Wiki Club in a University & Encouraging Students’ Engagement on Wikimedia Projects,” the speaker shared their journey of establishing a Wiki Club in a university setting. This session provided a unique perspective on the potential of Wiki Clubs in universities and the role they can play in promoting student engagement on Wikimedia projects. Overall, the ESEAP Conference 2024 was a valuable learning experience.

Day 3 of the Conference(12th May 2024)

ESEAP Perspectives in Wikimedia Global Governance (60 minutes)
Me with the backdrop photobooth	The talk is about the emphasis on volunteer participation and diverse representation, especially from the ESEAP region, resonated with me. The approval of a Universal Code of Conduct and the work of the Movement Charter Drafting Committee were noteworthy developments. The panel discussions served as a rich source of best practices and underscored the importance of including voices from the ESEAP region in global dialogues. I am convinced that these regional perspectives will significantly influence the Movement Strategy 2030 implementation and shape the future of Wikimedia’s global governance.
Wikimedia Movement Charter and its Impact for the ESEAP Communities (30 minutes)
Wiki Kent Club photo	The talk provided a comprehensive overview of the Charter’s content, highlighting its potential impact on the ESEAP communities. I was particularly intrigued by the emphasis on the future collaboration and representation of ESEAP communities in the global movement. The session also clarified the ratification process of the Charter, which I believe is crucial for the ESEAP community members. Overall, the session underscored the importance of the Movement Charter in shaping the future of the ESEAP region within the Wikimedia movement. I am looking forward to seeing how these discussions will influence the implementation of the Movement Charter and the future collaboration within the ESEAP communities.
Free the Freedom of Panorama in ESEAP (55 minutes)
Participant asking a question during the session	The presentation emphasized the need to promote the Freedom of Panorama (FOP) in the ESEAP region, where only three countries currently have full FOP. The session highlighted the importance of understanding the legislative backgrounds of each ESEAP country and brainstorming ideas to lobby their parliaments. I was particularly struck by the potential of regional collaboration on public policy initiatives. The ideas generated during this roundtable will undoubtedly aid future actions to promote FOP in the ESEAP region. I am excited to see how these discussions will shape the future of FOP in ESEAP.
Awareness of Copyright Issues in South Korea (20 minutes)
COT keep tracking the time	The session shed light on the unique challenges faced by South Korea in terms of copyright awareness and enforcement. The session highlighted the country’s education system’s focus on competition and memorization, which often overlooks the importance of copyright literacy. It also brought attention to the lack of Freedom of Panorama in South Korea, which limits the use of public works for commercial purposes. The discussion on Namuwiki, a popular Korean wiki site, and its lax copyright enforcement was particularly eye-opening. I believe this session underscored the need for comprehensive copyright education and policy reform in South Korea. I look forward to seeing how these insights will influence future initiatives in the region.
VideoCutTool: Streamlining Video Campaigns on Wikimedia Commons (15 minutes)
Performance team	Sharing about the tool’s capabilities, including cropping, trimming, disabling audio, and rotating videos, are truly game-changing. It’s impressive how it seamlessly converts and uploads MP4 videos to Wikimedia Commons, ensuring compatibility and eliminating hassles. The tool’s potential to enhance multimedia engagement and elevate the quality of contributions on Wikimedia Commons is immense. I was particularly inspired by the tool’s potential to foster diversity in video campaigns, reflecting the rich cultural and thematic diversity of the ESEAP region. The session left me with a heightened awareness of the tool and its capabilities, and I am excited about the possibilities it opens up for the Wikimedia community.

Things the participant contributed or participated in or since the conference

Participated in adding pictures to Wikimedia Common.
Composing narratives on my involvement with the Wikimedia ESEAP 2024.
Getting ready for Kent Wiki Club’s forthcoming project, Wikikaamatan 2024.
Preparing for an additional initiative, Wikitour, to be conducted by Kent Wiki Club.

Suggestions about the conference

Suggestion that I have identified as a member of logistics:

Dedicated PC or Laptop: Set up a dedicated computer or laptop specifically for the livestream. Install OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) or anything similar to manage Conference streaming setup efficiently.
Slide Organization: Centralize all the presentation slides. Avoid to uploaded it at different place such as in Google Drive and in the Commons. Organizing them in one location will make it easier to access and transition between presenter.
Clicker or Remote Control: Get a clicker or remote control handy. This will allow prsenter to smoothly navigate through their slides during the presentation."

Future Plan

I will start to insert my local cultural place to Wikidata.
I will study the research about Dusun Kimaragang more deeply and put it in the Wikipedia for everyone to read.
As i learned from the New Zealand Wikimedian, i will also start to create a Wikipedia pages for my ethnic figure.
I also inspire to upload more picture about my culture in Wikimedia Commons for reference purpose in the Wikipedia page.