Iranian Wikimedians UG meeting 2024/Report (en)
The 2024 Iranian Wikimedians User Group meeting took place from September 20 to 22, 2024, in conjunction with the 2024 Central and Eastern European (CEE) Wikimedia Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. The primary goal of this meeting was to provide a platform for sharing experiences among members of the Iranian Wikimedians User Group and to bridge the gap between different generations of the community. This event also created a great opportunity to strengthen ties between the Iranian Wikimedians User Group and other regional and international Wikimedia communities.
Objectives
editThe main objective of this meeting was to address the challenges and opportunities facing the Iranian Wikimedians User Group and to make decisions about the direction of the group's activities in the coming months. The primary focus of discussions was on improving the group's structure, with participants proposing ways to enhance it. Additionally, the meeting aimed to establish a transparent decision-making process for future matters. One of the key proposals was the establishment of a Board of Trustees, and the group discussed various methods for selecting future leaders. Ensuring that decisions reflect the needs of the entire community was a priority, and mechanisms to increase member participation in the decision-making process, regardless of geographical location, were also discussed.
Furthermore, planning for the future of the Iranian Wikimedians User Group was discussed. The group reviewed ongoing projects and explored new initiatives for growth, collaboration, and community expansion. It was estimated that the long-term success of the group depends on strong leadership and fostering a sense of community and involvement among all members.
Since this meeting coincided with the Central and Eastern European Wikimedia Meeting, it provided a valuable opportunity to interact with other Wikimedia communities. These interactions helped build connections and exchange ideas, paving the way for future collaborations with other Wikimedia groups.
Participants
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To support community participation, the Iranian Wikimedians User Group, after applying for a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, was able to offer several travel scholarships covering flight, accommodation, registration, and meal expenses for selected applicants. A scholarship committee, composed of trusted members, reviewed applications based on criteria such as Wikimedia project contributions and the ability to share experiences after the meeting. Huji and Ladsgroup were members of this committee, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
Applicants could submit their requests from July 13 to July 27, 2024, and during this period, 21 applications were received by the organizers. After review by the scholarship committee, 5 applicants were deemed eligible for scholarships, and 2 were placed on the waiting list. However, due to rising flight costs, it was not possible to invite the two waitlisted applicants.
The users who received scholarships are:
In addition, Hootandolati attended at personal expense, while Darafsh and Ladsgroup participated as invitees of the Wikimedia Foundation. Elph was also invited by the Iranian Wikimedians User Group for collaborative efforts with Arabic Wikipedia, the results of which are detailed in the section below.
Main Decisions and Outcomes
editFor the full text of the meeting’s outcomes and decisions, see here.
During the meeting, participants reached agreements on several key issues that will shape the group's structure and activities over the next six months. These decisions will be implemented until April 20, 2025, when a new Board of Trustees will assume decision-making responsibilities. Members are encouraged to provide feedback and submit proposals during the group’s monthly meetings.
Membership Structure
editMembership in the Iranian Wikimedians User Group is open to any user with an account on one of the Wikimedia Foundation’s projects. While discussions were held on introducing a paid membership model, it was ultimately decided that the infrastructure and legal frameworks for such a system are not yet in place. This topic has been delegated to the future Board of Trustees for further consideration.
All members have equal voting rights in elections and discussions. Voting and election participation criteria are detailed in the Election Process section of this report.
Board of Trustees
editOne of the key decisions made during the meeting was the establishment of a Board of Trustees consisting of five members, who will be elected by the group’s members for a 24-month term. This Board will oversee the group's finances, plan future activities, and set policies. Due to legal and financial considerations, two of the five members must reside outside of Iran, and these individuals must sign a confidentiality agreement with the Wikimedia Foundation.
Participants at the meeting agreed that given the group’s young and evolving nature, the formation of the Board of Trustees would be delayed for six months. In the interim, decision-making authority will be delegated to the group's co-founders, Darafsh and Ladsgroup.
Election Process
editThe election for the Board of Trustees will begin on April 20, 2025. Candidates will have two weeks to declare their candidacy, and voting will take place over a two-week period.
Candidate Requirements
edit- Must be a member of the Iranian Wikimedians User Group.
- Must have an active account on one of the Wikimedia projects.
- Upon election, candidates must disclose their real identity to the Wikimedia Foundation.
Voter Requirements
edit- Must have been a member of the group at least one month (30 days) prior to the election.
- Must have made at least 500 edits across Wikimedia projects in the six months leading up to the election.
- Exceptions for voting eligibility may be granted by the election committee under special circumstances.
The election committee, consisting of at least two members, will oversee the election process, certify the votes, and announce the results. To prevent conflicts of interest, committee members cannot run for the Board but will retain their voting rights if eligible.
Future Programs and Activities
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The group agreed on several initiatives for the coming months, with organizers and dates finalized as follows:
- Wiki Loves Monuments 2024 – Iran
- Date: October 2024
- Wikipedia Asian Month 2024
- Date: November 2024
- Iran-Armenia Cultural Week
- Date: December 2024
- Persian Wikipedia Birthday Celebration
- Date: January 2025
- Wiki Loves Folklore 2025
- Date: February 2025
- Women in Red 2025
- Date: March 2025
- Wikipedia Breathes Event
- Date: March 2025 (Iranian Tree-Planting Day)
Collaboration with Arabic Wikipedia
editDue to cultural and geographical proximity, the group hosted a representative from Arabic Wikipedia to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for collaboration between the Iranian and Arabic Wikimedia communities. Elph represented the Arabic community, and the outcome of this discussion can be seen here: ar:ويكيبيديا:تقرير حول المشاركة في مؤتمر Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024.