Wikimania conference 2023/MartinHipangwa/Report

'Bold text'Introduction On August 16–19, 2023, I attended Wikimania 2023 in Singapore. The conference was held at Suntec Center. It was an honor to attend this conference through a scholarship from Wikimedia ZA. Filled with excitement to represent Namibia, it was my first time attending such a big conference.

Martin at Wikimania 2023

Wikimedians from Southern Africa at Suntech Center, Singapore

16 August 2023 18th Wikimania edition theme was "Diversity. Collaboration, Future". The conference started off well with an opening ceremony, which highlighted the

17 August 2023

Attending Wikimania in Singapore

18 August 2023

I have attended the following sessions on Research and The Wikimedia Foundation

19 August 2023

Attending a Librarian Post Conference at the Singapore National Library

Wikimania2023 was a unique opportunity to connect with other community members that we never met before but interacted online for quite a long time, breaking geographical boundaries.

Sea food at Wikimania 2023

One of the highlight event I have attended was a pos-conference event at the National Reference Library of Singapore on Knowledge Beyond Boundaries: Strengthening Wikimedia and Libraries. This changed my trajectory of viewing libraries and open and free knowledge moments and the power they have to change people lives and safeguarding their cultural heritage, let alone fighting misinformation and disinformation.

Conclusion

The memories of Wikimaia 2023 will always remain in my heart because it was an unforgetable experience. I just didn't participate. I became an action seeker. Thanks to the Namibian team for always motivating me.

Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the Wikimedia South Africa for financial assistance and all the logistical help that they have afforded me in order to attend my first ever in person Wikimania 2023.