WikiIndaba 2023/Report/Aji Ramou

Report on the Participation of Aji Ramou at WikiIndaba 2023 in Agadir, Morocco

Overview

Provide insights into your participation at the conference, including details about your contributions, experiences, and noteworthy encounters.

The 2023 edition was my first experience of WikiIndaba’s conference. As a newbie, it was a dream come true. Thank you to the Wikimedia Foundation for giving me the opportunity to attend the event in person. The exemplary dedication shown by the organizing committee is truly remarkable. The conference provides a platform for networking, knowledge exchange and discussions on various Wikimedia projects, capacity building for African Wikimedians and the way forward. It was an enriching experience that provided valuable insights into various Wikimedia projects. I discover new areas and projects within the Wikimedia movement where I can contribute. The connection I made, and the knowledge gained will undoubtedly influence my future projects that would further the cause of the Wikimedia’s mission in my community. I had the opportunity to learn from experienced Wikimedians, participated in the questions and answers sessions which allows the engaging discussions and exchange of diverse perspectives. I shared my experience gained from Wikipedia and Wikidata activities where I started my journey as a wikimedian contributing to the overall knowledge exchange within the conference community. Informal discussions during coffee break, lunch and dinner was impressive, it was a wonderful time learning, sharing, and networking for greater collaboration. I had the privilege of meeting my mentor and course instructor Alice kibombo, who was awarded a certificate for her exceptional contributions. She has been so instrumental in my journey as a wikimedian.

Outcome

What significant learning or outcome do you take away from your participation?

The conference featured insightful presentations from distinguished speakers each offering a unique perspective on the current and future state of the Wikimedia movement. Gaining new ideas, motivation and inspiration for my future projects and contributions was the most significant take away from the conference.

Notably presentations include:

• The Wiki love Africa session, I got to learn more about Wiki loves Africa and how they strive to redefine African narratives through the use of Media. Consequently, we are considering to participate in the Wiki loves Africa contest in 2024. 

• Personal data and the wikimedian presented by my mentor Alice Kibombo.

• Mind the Wikidata Gap: why we should care about African content on Wikidata and what we did about it. As a librarian and a former student to the AFLIA Wikidata online course, I was looking up to this session and it turned out to be a great presentation. Am so much concerned with African content on both Wikipedia and Wikidata. Thus, I was able to gain more knowledge on how to improve African content on Wikidata. 

• Taking Wikipedia into African Universities. This session has given me an insight on how the use of Wikipedia can be improved in African Universities.

• Introducing the Online Media Training Program for African Wikimedians.

Impact

What impact the conference had on you and community plans, and what actions will you undertake to share learnings with your community?

I look forward to implementing the lessons learned and stay engaged with the Wikimedia Foundation. The conference has inspired new Ideas and approaches that would positively impact my activities and future projects. I have gained deeper knowledge of Wikimedia and its global impact. As an academic librarian, my community includes students’, lecturers, and researchers. I would raise awareness about the Wiki movement and its importance to the University community by conducting workshops, presentations, or training sessions. Engage with staff, students, and researchers to encourage their participation and contributions. Since my engagement with Wikipedia and Wikidata , I have realized that most librarians from my community are not yet editors. I will engage them by organizing both in person and virtual trainings that would encourage them to contribute.

Anything else?

If you have a link to your slides or particular pictures from the event, you can share them here. Please also feel free to share any other feedback, information, or thoughts with us in this section.

Recommendation: the following recommendations are proposed for consideration

• The time allocated to some of the sessions were too small most of the sessions were run simultaneously, thus there are other important sessions that I did not attend. This should be put into consideration when organizing future events.

• The time allocated to some of the sessions were too small. Thus, there was no adequate time for Q&A sessions.

• The presentation slides could be made available to the participants a day or two before the conference date.

Conclusion:

The Conference prove to be a resounding success, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and facilitating connections. As we move forward, let us carry the spirit of collaboration. The diverse range of the presentations and discussions underscored the vibrancy of our different communities and their commitment towards the Wiki movement. I am looking forward to future Wikimedia events where I would present my project and engagements with Wiki activities.