Wikimania 2014/IRC meeting 2013-04-07

This is the log of the 2013-04-07 IRC meeting for Wikimania 2014, looking at the Arusha bid.

James_F_mod: Welcome, Arusha team.
James_F_mod: This is the first Q&A meeting of the Wikimania 2014 Jury with the Arusha team.
Famcdaniel_aru: Thanks in advance
Famcdaniel_aru: sure
James_F_mod: The point is for the jury to ask questions and get more details.
Kaswahili_aru: Thank you
Famcdaniel_aru: okay
James_F_mod: The normal way is for the bid team to make a few comments if you want, and then open up questions to the jury.
James_F_mod: Some jury members haven't been able to make it here, so I will ask on their behalf.
James_F_mod: Famcdaniel_aru, Kaswahili_aru: Do you wish to make a statement?
Famcdaniel_aru: We are very happy to be here today and we are open to questions by Jury. Arusha as a contesting venue for 2014 metting is very prepared and feel ready to be the host
James_F_mod: Excellent.
James_F_mod: To start, a question from Deror: How many team members are currently on the team? What are their names?
Famcdaniel_aru: 13 members
Famcdaniel_aru: Names and their roles
Famcdaniel_aru: Francis Kaswahili Kaguna Coordinator Intellectual Property Protection, Managing Director of East Africa Creative Rights Company, Founder of the then Tanzania Music Copyright Association,fomer Secretary General of Tanzania Musicians Association, Founder of Tanzania Music Federation OF Tanzania, Founder and Subscriber of Wikimedia Tanzania.
Famcdaniel_aru: Nteghenjwa Hoseah Information Assistant committee member related to Wikimania 2014 Bids/Arusha Press
Famcdaniel_aru: Abubakar Sadik Legal Officer Preparing of legal documents such as Hotels for Accommodation Contracts, Sponsorships contracts, Transportation Contracts, Cultural program contracts, Fundraising propositions contracts, Procurement contracts and any procedure related to the Wikimania 2014 Arusha process
Famcdaniel_aru: Ahmed Hassan Information Technology Web:Designer
Famcdaniel_aru: Hamis Yowa Journalist Journalist and Graphics
Famcdaniel_aru: Denis Mango Cultural Programs cultural and theater arts practitioner since 1990 to date,secretary general of national performing arts association since 2000 to date,founder and executive secretary of the national theater arts federation since 2010 to date,cultural festival organizer since 2000 to date,Theater arts training trainer and organizer,a dancer and choreographer,life skills and
Famcdaniel_aru: participatory theater for social development facilitator since 2000 to date.
Famcdaniel_aru: Joseph Mayalla Consultants
Famcdaniel_aru: Sultan Mpingo IT Web:Designer
Famcdaniel_aru: Issac Geoffrey Student assistant
Famcdaniel_aru: Ephraim Kibonde Sponsorship Radio Presenter
Famcdaniel_aru: Felix Daniel Accommodation Human and Resources Manager
Famcdaniel_aru: Richard Mzilay Cultural arrangements/Accommodation Theater Arts practitioner
Famcdaniel_aru: Faraja Roy
James_F_mod: OK, thanks.
James_F_mod: As a follow-up from Deror: What is each team members's experience with conferences? With raising money for a conference (and how much money was raised - a link to a reference would be good)?
Kaswahili_aru: are Denis Mango, Felix daniel, Richard Mziray, Ntegenjwa, Abubakar sadik, francis Kaswahili, hamis Yowa, Ahmed, Faraja,
Kaswahili_aru: as writen in the bid
James_F_mod: OK.
James_F_mod: As a further follow-up: Of these members, 11 are not online for this chat - why not? Does them not showing up show a lack of seriousness?
Famcdaniel_aru: We have experience with conference and we are very resourceful in terms of sourcing funds
Famcdaniel_aru: as indicated on the bid
deror-jury: I apologize for being late. Long day at work.
Kaswahili_aru: Dson.t worry
Famcdaniel_aru: The rest of the members could not make it today and in one way or the other we are representing them
James_F_mod: OK, thank you.
kondi_jury: Famcdaniel_aru: it'd help if you could paste link/s to references here.
root-80686_jury: http://jambofestival.co.tz/index.php/about/producers (on Nteghenjwa Hosea)
James_F_mod nods.
Famcdaniel_aru: We have so far raised 400,00$
Famcdaniel_aru: 400,000$
James_F_mod: OK, next we have a question from Shujenchang_jury.
Shujenchang_jury: Hi, my question is about LGBT rights in Tanzania, I also asked it on the talk page, but it was ignored, so I'll ask it again here.
Shujenchang_jury: I found that same-sex sexual activity is illegal (even the penalty is up to life imprisonment) and no recognition and anti-discrimination of same-sex relationships in Tanzania.
Shujenchang_jury: However, There're many LGBT Wikipedians attend Wikimania each year, and the LGBT community always organize meetups of LGBT as a event of Wikimania. According to Friendly space policy, the Wikimedia Foundation is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone (including LGBT attendees).
Shujenchang_jury: So, my question is, how to ensure it if the Wikimania held in Arusha, Tanzania?
Shujenchang_jury: Thank you!
Kaswahili_aru: The place of increasing Wikimedia users at this time is Africa and this is our humble submission with referring to 2010 conference where Sue Sue Gardner, Executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation, said that the foundation's aim was to grow the number of visitors to Wikimedia sites from 371 million to 680 million a month, over the next five years. And that’s why in Africa we have a target of 3000 participants as we ar
Kaswahili_aru: Also we have strong support from our President what we are waiting is decisiob of Jury
deror-jury: Why is there not a letter of support from the President?
Kaswahili_aru: You will see the crip any time from next week
James_F_mod: OK.
James_F_mod: And now Shujenchang_jury's question?
deror-jury: Can you reply to Shujenchang_jury's question?
Kaswahili_aru: what is that
Famcdaniel_aru: The question has been answered above on LGBT
Kaswahili_aru: thank you daniel
brassratgirl_mod: Famcdaniel_aru -- we did not see the answer, can you post it again?
Famcdaniel_aru: okay
brassratgirl_mod: thank you.
Famcdaniel_aru: This same sex suxual activity in many countries around the world is debatable and Tanzania is not an exception. However since the acts is agreement between 2 persons and the activity is done in privacy there will be no interraction with the country laws
deror-jury: Thank you.
James_F_mod: OK, next up Orsolya_jury has a question.
Orsolya_jury: Hi Team!
Kaswahili_aru: You know Yes
Famcdaniel_aru: Hi
Orsolya_jury: my question is: are the Keynotes confirmed?
Kaswahili_aru: Yes all has confirmed
Orsolya_jury: then why don't you have their letter of support?
Famcdaniel_aru: We will additionally not screen participants by sexual orientation as this is the privacy of a person
Orsolya_jury: you have 5 keynotes listed + politicians
Kaswahili_aru: and regarding we have only six days of stays in the country
root-80686_jury: actually it is not common on Wikimania to have any politicians at all
Orsolya_jury: yes
root-80686_jury: Wikimania tries to be as apolitically as possible - there were only very few exceptions in the past
Orsolya_jury: also, if you invite them you need a LOT of security which means a lot of money
Kaswahili_aru: One is A justice, the second is universty lec., the third is Media stake holder, fourth is prof of musicology at Kenyata Universty,
Famcdaniel_aru: In life also there are many issues that may just be raised for interest and in turn may lowre the credibility on how humanly one responds to question. In Tanzania though LGBT rights is not advocated in public everyone knows there many people in that line in the country and life goes on and also many visitors of that nature are coming vevryday from other countries and no one in the media has
Famcdaniel_aru: ever appeared to be discriminated and no one has ever jailed or taken to court
Famcdaniel_aru: Security in Tanzania is a right of everyone not politicians only
James_F_mod: OK.
Famcdaniel_aru: Any other question
James_F_mod: Next question is from deror-jury.
deror-jury: Budget – I do not believe an amount more than $200,000 can be raised (including any amount given from the Wikimedia Foundation). Can you provide us with a budget in three layers – up to $150,000, up to $250,000 and above the said amount – and list what is possible in each layer.
deror-jury: This can be done later but for now - can you sayt what can be acchieved with $150,000
Kaswahili_aru: The 2013 bids race it seems to be the competition between Father and Son, all their competing to have any opportunity of hosting the Wikimania 2014 but the issue here is not about 2014 only, is just to think about conflict of interest because if a father hasn’t take or show any efforts of educating his son until the son take steps of finding education himself, definitely father he will get back to think how to help to his
hoo: Sorry?
Kaswahili_aru: Thank you for understanding
Famcdaniel_aru: With budget we are very organised and mostly will come through fund raising/sponsorship from donors in Tanzania and as earlier on said we have already raised 400,000$ and within this four weeks we are negotiating with our major sponsor who will take cover of the conferencing and efforts go on
Kaswahili_aru: We also support the Co- Wikimedia, Wikipeda Founder Jimmy wales and to promise the first historical reception to him in Africa
Kaswahili_aru

Very sorry for late james H

root-80686_jury

Kaswahili_aru: are you talking about 400 Thousand US Dollars?

root-80686_jury

or what is the currency?

Famcdaniel_aru: US DOLLARS
Anthere2: We also support the Co- Wikimedia, Wikipeda Founder Jimmy wales and to promise the first historical reception to him in Africa : yeah, very important.
James_F_mod: OK.
root-80686_jury: Kaswahili_aru: and what does "raised" mean in this context? You got substantial confirmations on paper, or have the money available, or how?
Famcdaniel_aru: We have the go ahead and clearance that if we should be nominated the host for 2014 then we will have the cheque from this sponsor
James_F_mod: Right.
deror-jury: Which sponsor?
Kaswahili_aru: yes of due to the internet problems since morning one of our sponsor was promised to add in the bid ithink he'll doit tommorow
Famcdaniel_aru: We can not have the money ready for the event yet as this will be contradictory and lies to try to manipulate the Jury decision
Famcdaniel_aru: Subject to Jury decsion then we will inform all our sponsor and the amount pledged to be collected
Kaswahili_aru: thank you daniel
James_F_mod: OK, another question from Orsolya: Have you engaged contacts with local embassies + Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
Kaswahili_aru: but for sure until now we are sure of hostng the event without an contribution to WMF
Famcdaniel_aru: This is the way
Famcdaniel_aru: If we should have the clearance then we would have the money ready in our account and we would be in a position to send the proof
deror-jury: Do u have a letter or agreement from the sponsor saying that?
deror-jury: Do u have a letter or agreement from the sponsor saying that?
Famcdaniel_aru: We will have one tomorrow Monday
Famcdaniel_aru: Then we will be able to send it across
Famcdaniel_aru: Any other question please
deror-jury: The current budget is much too expensive, especially the catering budget – I have made some comments in the talk page regarding the main assumptions – for example – I do not believe more than 600 will attend - why were there comments not addressed, and why was the budget not amended.
Kaswahili_aru: We are very much aware that WMF now need some funds more than 1.5M USD instead of sponsoring of schsps all the funds alocated to Arusha will remain to WMF
root-80686_jury: Kaswahili_aru: can you elaborate that please?
Anthere2: ?
root-80686_jury: what do you mean by 1.5M USD?
Famcdaniel_aru: I think he tried to say that we will also raise funds for WMF
root-80686_jury: Famcdaniel_aru: ok, that would be quite unusual
James_F_mod: OK.
Anthere2: above the funds for Wikimania ?
root-80686_jury: normally the WMF is putting in around 100.000 USD
James_F_mod: Did you see my question above? "Have you engaged contacts with local embassies + Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"
Famcdaniel_aru: Have replied this question already to Ally
Famcdaniel_aru: We have engaged and have good rapport with the Government and all its ministries
James_F_mod: OK.
root-80686_jury: Famcdaniel_aru, Kaswahili_aru: so you are saying that you will do Wikimania 2014 without additional funds from WMF
root-80686_jury: that is very good and our goal actually to get there
Famcdaniel_aru: including MOFA and embassies
Kaswahili_aru: We know about it thats why we arew carry all the burden all runing expenditure
deror-jury: In the bid you mention a "Marketing Company" - which company is that?
Famcdaniel_aru: That is very correct
Famcdaniel_aru: We will have initiated a double effect where WMF get funds and the event get hosted
root-80686_jury: Famcdaniel_aru: sounds great, where is the catch=
root-80686_jury: ?
deror-jury: What is the name of the company?
Famcdaniel_aru: As soon as we are nominated we will be able to mention the name of the company
deror-jury: I have made some comments regarding the accommodations costs in the bid page – please note that most attendees will need accommodations at very low costs (dorms at $15 at night at most) and the rest at rather cheep accommodations (much less then $40 per person per night). The amounts listed for hotels in the bid page are irrelevant. Can you provide a list of three or four hotels in which participants will stay? And are there r
root-80686_jury: Famcdaniel_aru: I understand that you can't finalise everything during the bidding phase but how are we supposed to make an informed decision when you are not able to name us anybody or show us any document?
hoo: deror-jury: Your message is cut of after "And are there r"
deror-jury: And are there relevant dorms?
root-80686_jury: Famcdaniel_aru: you are free to send us any confidential information directly to the jury, so it will stay confidential
Kaswahili_aru: Yes go through talk page you'll see
James_F_mod: I can pass on any confidential details to the jury (Send to me at jdforrester@gmail.com to pass on.)
Famcdaniel_aru: Accommodation is not a problem in Arusha. The cost indicated on our bidding document is per person and if sharing the cost might be lower. The hotels indicated are world class hotels, however there are hostels and guest houses where people can stay for less and have to commute to the venue
root-80686_jury: if we had to make a decision on the current basis of information there wouldn't be much hope for Tanzania, I suspect
Famcdaniel_aru: Please clarify where you feel hopeless
root-80686_jury: Famcdaniel_aru: an important part of any Wikimania accommodation is on hostels or dorms. Around half of the participants are usually staying there.
root-80686_jury: Therefore it is essential to have dorms or hostels with a high number of beds (these are mostly 2 or sometimes even 4 bed rooms) nearby the venue
Famcdaniel_aru: We have hostels, students dorms and guest houses
root-80686_jury: Famcdaniel_aru: you make a lot of quite firm and suspect promises here:
root-80686_jury: * keynotes, confirmations from politicians
root-80686_jury: * sponsoring of 400.000 USD without reference
root-80686_jury: * fundraising plan by an unnamed marketing company
Kaswahili_aru: in arusha there is eve hotels coasting to seven $ worry not about it
Famcdaniel_aru: marketing company is one thing but planning is what is important and good rapport, making contacts etc
Famcdaniel_aru: Marketing company has contacted the potential sponsors and got pledges and as promised we will send all the details for the sponsor of 400k tomorrow. Hope that is clear
root-80686_jury: Famcdaniel_aru: thank you!
Famcdaniel_aru: Budget hotels in Arusha
Famcdaniel_aru: Arusha Backpackers, Arusha Resort, Ujamaa Hostel and more can be see on http://www.hostelworld.com/hotels/arusha/tanzania?source=adwordshotelsbff&kid=781167&aid=2&gclid=CJ3QucaIubYCFfLLtAoddSIAew
James_F_mod: OK.
James_F_mod: I think we're done here.
James_F_mod: Thank you, Arusha bid team.
James_F_mod: And thank you, jury.
James_F_mod: I will announce the next steps shortly.