Key theme 3: Establishing free knowledge in society

Wikimedia is both a product and a generator of social change.

Our work takes place in a specific social and legal context. By creating and disseminating educational content and contributing to the debate on educational goals, Wikimedia also plays a part in changing this context.

Through our work we are actively shaping the framework conditions for the creation, collection, and dissemination of free knowledge in a process of dialogue and exchange with other groups in society.

Within Wikimedia projects we also try to promote an understanding of the needs of our readers.

Goal 3: Wikimedia Deutschland will enable readers to bring their personal perspective into the Wikimedia projects.

3.1. Changes for readers

Wikimedia Deutschland will collect data on reader interests and ensure these interests are duly considered in the Wikimedia projects.

The Wikimedia projects address a large and diverse readership. Reader perspectives are important and have so far not been given the consideration they deserve. Compiling information on these interests in order to broaden the communities’ perspective on their own work will improve the quality of the projects.

Wikimedia Deutschland will promote greater awareness of reader interests among the communities. This can be done using, for example, technical means, surveys or discussion events.

Our goal will be achieved if we can gather and evaluate information on reader interests and regularly bring our findings into the communities.

Projects directed at implementing this change in 2013:

P 12: Reader interests - A concept will be developed in this project that compiles data on reader interests and clearly incorporates this information into relevant contexts.

Goal 4: Wikimedia Deutschland will form new cooperations to establish the concept of free knowledge on a broader basis.

4.1. Changes in the educational sphere

Wikimedia Deutschland will develop a network of people committed to establishing free knowledge in the educational sphere (e.g. via Open Educational Resources).

The use of Open Educational Resources (OER) aims to improve access to education on all levels. Generating this free content has, however, hardly become established practice in the German education system. It is important to raise awareness of the importance of free access to education and promote this vision in order to make the present educational environment fairer and more open.

We will form partnerships with activists, teachers, school and university students, and create incentives to make educational material freely accessible and available for use. In brief: We will demonstrate that freely available education material is a significant issue in society.

Our goal will be achieved if free educational content is on the agenda of key actors in school education and the first pilot schemes have been tested.

Projects directed at implementing this change in 2013:

P 13: Promoting free education - Wikimedia Deutschland will provide clear and concise information about the significance of free teaching and learning materials (Open Educational Resources, OER) in the education sector.

P 14: Tour of Free Knowledge - Free teaching and learning materials for the education sector. We will create networks and support collaboration between different actors.

4.2. Changes for government works

Wikimedia Deutschland will improve its access to policymakers with the aim of making government works freely available for follow-up use.

Vital issues for Wikimedia Deutschland like legal certainty in the use of orphan works were hardly featured in the copyright debates of 2012. The proclaimed “Third Basket ” of copyright reform that is particularly relevant to the concerns of science and academia has been postponed to the next legislative period. Important decisions that will set the course for years to come will therefore be made in the federal election year 2013.

By submitting catalogues of key questions prior to the election, by staging events and making suggestions on possible methods of implementation, we will show policymakers viable ways of making government works freely available for follow-up use. In cooperation with other interested parties, we will lobby for a transparency law in Berlin.

Our goal will be achieved if our own regulatory proposal for the follow-up use of government works attracts the attention and support of the general public.

Projects directed at implementing this change in 2013:

P 15: Election questionnaire - In the run-up to each of the four state and federal elections in Germany in 2013, Wikimedia will send catalogues of key questions to the parties running for office in order to raise awareness among politicians about the issue of open access to government works. We will publish the answers to these questions.

P 16: Legislative proposal on government works - Wikimedia Deutschland will present its own regulatory proposal on making more government documents freely available for follow-up use.

P 17: Digital Openness Benchmark - We will set up a new index presenting a clear and comparable overview of the contribution public bodies are making to digital common goods.

4.3. Changes at European level

We will create the conditions required to represent our interests at EU level.

Important legal issues related to the subject of free knowledge are regulated at EU level. International agreements like ACTA include provisions that have an immediate effect on Wikimedia projects. This is why it is essential for us to be present at the European level and participate in hearings and networking activities.

By engaging in political monitoring long before decisions are implemented into national laws, we can take steps to ensure that in the future EU policies take greater consideration of the particularities of collaborative online projects. To be successful here, we have to join forces with initiatives like EDRI, La Quadrature Du Net and other Wikimedia chapters.

Our goal will be achieved if, in cooperation with such partners, we succeed in developing and implementing a sustainably funded model that guarantees our presence at EU level.

Projects directed at implementing this change in 2013:

P 18: Roadmap to Brussels - Wikimedia Deutschland will create the basic requirements for jointly representing the interests of Wikimedia chapters at EU level.

4.4. Changes in partnerships

We will continue our partnerships within the cultural sector and find new fields in which we can effectively demonstrate the benefits of free knowledge.

Institutions are holders and disseminators of knowledge and are thus very valuable partners. If they are prevented from contributing to the knowledge commons for legal or organizational reasons, we need to present them with tailored suggestions on how they can overcome these hurdles. Our experience with partnerships in the cultural sector should be better presented and made available to potentially interested parties. We would also like to expand our search for new partners. These could include companies, for example, who are reviewing and digitizing their archives on the occasion of an important anniversary. We would also like to communicate to state actors that they are not dependent on direct profits and that the system of free licenses is a good means of expanding the reach of works they own.

Our goal will be achieved when new collaborative projects have resulted from direct contact made by the association and when there is a demand for our consultancy services.