Movement Strategy/Recommendations/Iteration 3/Welcome

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In 2017, we created a strategic direction for the future of our movement and set ourselves an ambitious shared goal: to become the essential infrastructure of the ecosystem of free knowledge. This document presents a coherent change narrative and vision based on our strategic direction, and introduces the strategic recommendations, along with an overview of the process that developed them. It includes the overarching change narrative and underlying principles that pave the way for the future of the Wikimedia Movement.

Our Movement has grown over the past nineteen years in organic and distributed ways — independent, yet wholly intertwined. However, our growth and distribution have also created challenges in alignment and coordination. There are inequities in power, resources, and opportunity that prevent us from reaching our potential and fulfilling our mission. Some challenges have at times led to a lack of trust and understanding, power struggles, and disconnect between people and organizations.

Our cause and existence also face an urgency created by rapid changes in our world. Increasingly, there are threats against an open Internet and free knowledge, and their advocates and contributors. We risk becoming obsolete as information - both sound and controversial - floods virtual spaces. As a Movement synonymous with learning and verifiable information, we have a collective responsibility to ourselves, each other and to the world we serve to be intentional about the impact of our work and the knowledge we share.

Our changing world also offers a wealth of opportunities that can help us advance in our strategic direction. Today, we can connect to individuals, communities, and sources of knowledge more readily than was ever imaginable. We can also ensure that our platforms provide safe spaces and are inviting for those willing to contribute and consume knowledge, and deliver engaging, adaptable, and flexible experiences to them. We require support systems — community empowerment, agency, capacity, resources, infrastructure, and advocacy — to ensure togetherness and continued relevance, growth, and expansion.

As this is a strategic document, many of the ideas put forth will necessitate further exploration, assessment, consultation with stakeholders, and adaptation to meet the needs of the diverse communities of our ecosystem. This requires us to be experimental, collaborative, and remain open, adaptive, and flexible as we journey to 2030 and beyond.