ESEAP Conference 2022/Report/Pakoire & Kowhaiarewhana
Kowhaiarewhana:
Things learned at the conference
- – Both ESAP and WOW - I learnt more about the various Wikimedia projects, before I mostly just knew about Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
- I was amazed at different groups efforts about how much they want Wikimedia things to grow - how much time and effort like competitions people put into projects and events.
- A ‘How to start’ slide and talking with people gave me ideas how to start any future projects I do
Things the participant contributed or participated in the conference
- World Cafe session response to questions from the Foundation
- Enjoyed the dinner cruise
Plans after the conference (from what was learned or contributed in the conference)
- Many ideas for future projects
- Wanting to have more Pasifika Wikipedians
Comments/ suggestions about the conference
- The conference created a lovely motivational environment that made me really want to contribute projects to Wikipedia
- Was good to have the prayer rooms
- Didn’t know about the gift giving on the table and would have wanted to contribute.
Pakoire:
Things learned at the conference
- It was really good to get much more of a sense from the other countries that are part of ESEAP that I hadn’t met before - since I knew some Australian-based editors but none others. The energies and projects from many regions and areas was exciting and inspiring.
- Meeting the Wikimedia folk face to face was also really great to know more about the organisation and movement.
- I also enjoyed learning about some practical things. Templates in Wikimedia Commons, Wiki2Cit, PaddyPan, Mix and Match on the last day when my brain was tired of bigger concepts and meeting people.
Things the participant contributed or participated in the conference
- World Cafe session response to questions from the Foundation
- Back-up dancer for spontaneous Gangnam Style disco item on the cruise
Plans after the conference (from what was learned or contributed in the conference)
- I feel much better equipped to plan alongside others in the newly formed Wikimedia Aotearoa User Group, of which I am a committee member.
- I have several new ideas for Wikipedia related projects and have a way of expanding or framing existing project ideas in a different context.
- I have a vision of a strong Mana Moana / Pasifika & Māori presence at the Wikimania conference in Singapore next August.
- I have been thinking how our conferences can do more than acknowledge the unseeded takeover of territory in settler nations such as Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Australia with more than words. I suggest #PayTheRent or similar be built into events and the need to start in some way to build relationships. The Gadigal nation of the Sydney region was rather invisible apart from some acknowledgements and connections brought by some of the Wikimedia Australia people. Is this performative I wonder? What ways can Indigenous peoples be invited, supported, boosted through Wikimedai events in Aotearoa & Australia? Perhaps a summary of thoughts and policies from the hosts, with named opportunities and barriers.
Comments/ suggestions about the conference
- I kept looking for more detail about the programme so I could decide and plan which session to go to. More of a run-down of topics and / or bio’s of speakers would have been good.
- The food was excellent.