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Global Majority Wikimedia Technology Priorities

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The Global Majority Wikimedia Technology Priorities initiative, led by the Wiki Movement Brazil User Group (Grupo de Usuários Wiki Movimento Brasil) in collaboration with CIS-A2K, was designed to transform the socio-technical infrastructure of the Wikimedia movement to better address the technical needs of Wikimedia communities in the Global South. Through semi-structured interviews with 36 affiliates and individuals across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the research identified key technological challenges and produced a manifesto outlining ten priorities. These priorities revolve around two central principles:

  1. Promoting Epistemic Diversity – Ensuring the representation and inclusion of Global Majority communities and their knowledge in decision-making spaces and processes within Wikimedia.
  2. Decentering Technological Development – Shifting the focus to prioritise the needs of Global Majority communities and fostering a federated network of stakeholders to collaboratively develop tools and projects that address their specific challenges.

This initiative aligns with the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations, reflecting the collective vision of Global South communities to foster equity, inclusion, and innovation in the Wikimedia ecosystem.

A2K’s role in the process

CIS-A2K played a critical role in shaping the Global Majority Wikimedia Technology Priorities initiative by leveraging its expertise in advocating for underrepresented communities and advancing equitable technological development. The A2K team collaborated with the Wiki Movement Brazil User Group (WMB) to facilitate the research process, contributing to the identification and engagement of stakeholders from the Global Majority communities.

The A2K team co-developed the deliverables with WMB for each of the ten identified technological priorities, refining them into actionable outcomes to guide the manifesto's implementation. The A2K team has also actively participated in bi-monthly calls organised by WMB for Global South communities, which served as a platform to discuss the ten priorities and their associated deliverables, further solidifying A2K's role in supporting the needs of Global Majority communities through this collaborative effort.

As part of our outreach efforts for promoting Global Majority Wikimedia Technology Priorities, the A2K team raised awareness with Wikimedia affiliates, technical contributors, and broader community members with the attendees majorly focusing on the Global South communities at Wikimania 2024,Katowice and Wikimedia Hackathon 2024, Estonia. These events provided opportunities to share the ten technological priorities, discuss how to implement them, and collaborate with others to support the needs of Global Majority communities in Wikimedia's technical space.

Wikimedia India Summit 2024

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Main article: Wikimedia India Summit 2024

The two-day collaborative event between CIS-A2K and MCDC members aimed at enhancing community engagement and strategic planning within the Wikimedia ecosystem. The summit featured insightful presentations on the Movement Charter, allowing participants to contribute feedback on its draft. Key highlights included sessions on partnership dynamics, alternative governance structures, and actionable strategies for summit participation. The event provided valuable insights into maximizing impact through collaboration and governance, empowering participants to shape the future of Wikimedia. Day two emphasized developing strategies for Indian representatives, reinforcing a commitment to ongoing collaboration and impactful participation. The summit concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, offering actionable plans and strengthening the network for continued community-driven initiatives. Attendees represented diverse communities from India, preparing to advocate for their interests at the Wikimedia Summit 2024.

India Strategy Meet

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The India Strategic Meet in Chandigarh, held on June 28-29, 2024, brought together sixteen members of the Indian Wikimedia community to discuss the Movement Charter as a follow-up to the Wikimedia India Summit 2024. Over two days, participants shared a range of opinions—from support to concerns—regarding the charter's strengths, weaknesses, and potential impact on the future of Wikimedia. Key points of support included the charter’s role in decentralizing power, empowering volunteers, and enhancing resource allocation. However, concerns were raised about accountability, resource challenges, and the selection process for the Global Council (GC). Discussions also highlighted the need for clarity in governance structures, improved support systems, and greater inclusion of movement partners in the process. The event underscored the complexity of reaching consensus; nearly two-thirds of attendees expressed support while emphasizing the importance of addressing concerns to create a more inclusive and effective framework.

Collaboration with Wikimedia Deutschland (WMDE)

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As part of the RIWATCH GLAM project, a comprehensive listing of all artifacts in the museum was completed, accompanied by thorough photographic documentation and detailed descriptions uploaded to Wikimedia Commons. The RIWATCH organization aims to connect this repository with other ancient traditions worldwide, facilitating a broader understanding of cultural heritage. In addition to this initiative, they are developing a global repository of artifacts from diverse communities across various countries.

To enhance these efforts, which lead to a structured database and necessitate increased networking among similar datasets on the internet, A2K facilitated a collaboration with Wikimedia Deutschland to develop Wikibase. This involved a series of online meetings and technical sessions.

A similar facilitation process was implemented for the ACPR GLAM Project. Following an introductory session, a second technical session focused on Wikibase was conducted with ACPR GLAM members in collaboration with WMDE experts and India coordinator Bodhisattwa Mandal. This approach not only strengthened the technical capabilities of the participants but also fostered a collaborative spirit among various stakeholders in the GLAM sector.

The ongoing partnerships and initiatives under these projects reflect a commitment to preserving and sharing cultural heritage while leveraging technology to enhance accessibility and engagement within the Wikimedia ecosystem.

List of Research Articles and Vision documents produced

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