Grants:TPS/Jackson Peebles/Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Statutory Meetings 2013

User name

Jackson Peebles

User location (country)

United States of America

Event name

Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Statutory Meetings 2013

Event Web site

Official Website

Event date(s)

11/08/2013-11/18-2013

Event location (city)

Syndey, Australia

Amount requested (remember to specify currency!)

4,521.75 USD

Endorsements

Budget breakdown

• Round-Trip Flight and Hotel (Package, Round-Trip, 10 Nights): 3,342.00 USD
• GSA Per Diem Meals (11) * 75%: 1,179.75 USD

(Obtained Lowest Rates from Expedia)

Proposed Participation

I am an active Wikipedian who focuses largely on Editor Retention. These efforts have included quality assurance and mentorship. I have also been a strong advocate for using innovative techniques in order to achieve these goals.. Recently, I have focused on revamping a good portion of this system with the support of several other Wikimedia users..

This project fits the mission and strategic priorities of the Wikimedia Foundation on multiple fronts:

• The mission of the WMF "is to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally." The 2013 World Disaster Report states that "...whether it’s social media tools, mobile phones, the Internet or early warning systems, technology is playing a key role in the response to disasters. It’s also apparent that there’s a digital divide when it comes to technology and disasters. Some of the most disaster-prone countries in the world also have the least access to new technologies." In fact, lives can be saved with improved access to technology and, especially, information. These ideals are in clear alignment.
• This opportunity is in clear alignment with the strategic priorities to "Increase Participation" and "Increase Reach". Wikipedia is the 6th most-visited website in the world. Working with the international community in order to improve information accessibility, particularly to sites such as Wikivoyage (in particular, their section on War Zone Safety, travel guides, and other health factors), is imperative and would be greatly aided by cooperators in the IFRC and Red Cross National Organizations. These two movements, who are among the largest-spanning charities in the international community, should have a vested interest in supporting one-another's humanitarian efforts, p

Goal and Expected Impact

Should my participation be successful, the Wikimedia Foundation will have a presence within the Red Cross Movement, which spans all continents (excepting Antarctica). I am a well-respected and active member of the International Federation of the Red Cross, wielding a high level of influence, particularly within the media and youth communities. This is important, as it would make Red Cross volunteers, who are typically motivated and well-educated (anecdotal), aware of Wikivoyage and stress the importance of their self-published report on improving access to technology. Further, volunteers and victims in/of disaster would be more likely to ensure quality-assurance on respective Wikimedia websites, improving the flow of information and reliability of safety statistics, aiding both parties. Finally, this is an excellent form of outreach, in general.