WikiIndaba 2023/Report/Carolyn Seaman

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

Overview

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

I had the distinguished and memorable experience of participating in the Wiki Indaba Conference in Agadir, Morocco from November 3rd - 5th 2023 organized by the Wikimedia Morocco User Group. My participation at the Wiki Indaba Conference was sponsored by the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria (WUGN) and this was my first experience at an International Wikimedia Event. I had previously popped into some virtual Wikimania and Wiki Indaba conferences, but this was my first experience to physically attend a Wiki conference and it was a truly memorable experience. Although I had previously visited Marrakesh in Morocco, this was my first visit to Agadir and it is a truly breathtaking city with such great historic and scenic tourist experiences.

Outcome

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

I enjoyed a lot of learnings from the Wiki Indaba Conference in Morocco. On the whole, it was a huge enlightenment experience for me to learn a lot clearly how the Wikimedia community works together and how the Wikimedia Projects create impact around the world. Before the Wiki Indaba conference, I desired a better understanding of the gender projects within the Wikimedia projects and how I can implement these projects to create change in my community, empowering women and girls. I left the conference truly enlightened and inspired to take my learning back to my local Wikimedia Community - the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria and the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Abuja Network.

There were several learning take aways for me from the Wiki Indaba Conference. A few highlights include:

The session on Collaboration Structures and Models for Africa (A.K.A Hubs) by Yop and Ciell was a huge highlight for me from Day 1. The practical exercise was very hands-on and gave me an intimate perspective to how I look at building my local Wiki Network.

The session on Equipping Young Girls with 21st Century Digital Skills Lightning Talks by Stella and Joy and the session on How to Nurture Female Leadership and Inclusivity in our Affiliates: Case Study of Wikimedia User Group Kenya were the highlights of Day 2 for me. And this is because the content was right up my alley considering my work with girls and women. It was a great learning experience understanding the creative projects being implemented with young girls in Ghana and opportunities that the women were creating within the Wikimedia community in Kenya.

The session on How the New Campaign Tools can Help your Wikimedia Events was the highlight of Day 3 sessions as it was enlightening to learn about the fantastic tools that have been developed to help local leaders like me to ease our work organizing Wiki events and coordinating better from a central events portal. The social event organized by the local organizing committee was also fantastic. I only wish we did not need to travel all the way to the location, but the social event was fantastic.

The social event organized by the local organizing committee was also fantastic. I loved the artistry displayed in each of the performances. The music from the DJ was phenomenal and the atmosphere was great to unwind and network.

Impact

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

The Wiki Indaba Conference has had a huge impact on my Wikimedia journey. And I am excited about the opportunity to share my learning with my community. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to share my Wiki Indaba experience with the Wiki Africa Office Hour.

And with a bright year 2024 filled with prospects, I look forward to sharing my learning with my local community, including creating opportunities to implement some Wikimedia gender projects in my community.

The Wiki Indaba conference gave me a memorable opportunity to connect with phenomenal Wikimedia volunteers across the Continent and around the world. I appreciated the opportunity to experience the conference physically, to network with Wiki Volunteers across the Continent and learn from the amazing work that everyone is doing while also sharing my work in my context. I look forward to opportunities for collaboration and to engage some of the Wikimedia Africa volunteers in our community programs.

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.