| Account
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Azogbonon (talk • meta edits • global user summary • CA)
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| Candidate details
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- Languages: Fr
- Region: Middle East and North Africa
- Active wikis: Wikipedia, Wikisource, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, Wikisource, Wikispecies, Incubator Wikimédia, Wikiquote, Lingua Libre
- Wikimedian since: 2019
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| Selected home wiki
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french Wikipedia
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| Type of seat (regional; community-at-large; or both) (division of regional seats)
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Regional seat (Middle East and North Africa)
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| Candidate Introduction
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| Introductory statement / Application summary (maximum 200 words): Why are you running for the Universal Code of Conduct Coordinating Committee? What would you contribute?
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As a strong proponent of creating inclusive and safe online communities, I am keen to nominate myself to join the Universal Code of Conduct Coordinating Committee (U4C) within the Wikimedia community. I am deeply committed to establishing environments where every contributor feels trusted and fully accountable. I'm enthusiastic about using my expertise and passion to support this fundamental initiative.
Through my involvement with newcomers in my community, I am convinced of the positive impact of a strong code of conduct in fostering a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. I firmly believe that by implementing and adhering to clear safety standards, we can truly enhance the experience of all participants, with particular attention to marginalized groups.
As the only francophone living in French-speaking Africa and speaking only French, I consider it crucial to promote diversity in this election, where every community and every language contributes to making the Wikimedia movement dynamic and committed. Access to decision-making spheres must be open to linguistic diversity.
With my strong commitment to the French-speaking community through online and face-to-face projects, I fully understand the importance of guaranteeing the security and lasting commitment of French-speaking newcomers to the Wikimedia movement.
I'm fully committed to training newcomers to my community, made up of people of various nationalities, to inspire them to become fully involved in the Wikimedia movement. Based on my experience, both successes and failures, as well as my ongoing commitment, I am ready to make a significant contribution to the development of the universal code of conduct and the creation of a more inclusive Wikimedia community for all.
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| Please describe your Wikimedia experience (such as contributions to the Wikimedia projects, memberships in Wikimedia organizations or affiliates, experience working on conduct issues in your community, activities as a Wikimedia movement organizer, or participation in building Wikimedia policies).
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My journey with Wikimedia has been rich in diverse roles and contributions, a testament to my unwavering commitment to advancing the Wikimedia movement.
Governance Coordination: My involvement has been particularly strong in Wikimedia's local, regional and global governance bodies, where I have held key roles in decision-making processes. My main objective has always been to ensure that the community is fully represented in key initiatives, putting forward the fundamental values of equity and representativeness for all components of the movement. I have actively worked to promote diverse and inclusive participation within Wikimedia, ensuring that every voice is heard and respected in strategic discussions and decision-making.
Project Contributions: I have made significant contributions to Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia, Wikisource, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons and many others, focusing on topics related to my areas of expertise and interest. As a member of the Grants Committee for the Middle East and Africa for over 2 years, I played a crucial decision-making role, ensuring the protection of confidential information.
As a volunteer: my main concern is to motivate newcomers to the Wikimedia movement. Every day, I devote at least an hour to a Wikimedia project, in particular French Wikipedia, where I correct articles to encourage their creators to avoid deletions due to lack of categories, portals or sources, and to avoid plagiarism. These corrections are motivated by my own past mistakes, which I strive to help others avoid.
In addition, I regularly organize physical or online activities to train people in various Wikimedia projects, helping to extend the skills and commitment within our community.
Within my community, I take on the role of trainer and am constantly available to help other volunteers, especially new ones, by providing advice on what to do and what not to do. When they run into problems on a project or with another volunteer, I suggest solutions to guide them towards effective resolutions. My willingness to assist others stems from my deep commitment to the success and well-being of our Wikimedia community.
As an active member of the Regional Grants Committee for the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa (MENA and SSA), I play a key role in evaluating and allocating resources to support community projects and initiatives. I am fully committed to contributing to grants that foster innovation, development and growth within our regional Wikimedia community. My active participation on this committee demonstrates my strong commitment to supporting projects that benefit our community and contribute to its continued growth.
Engagement in Activities: I am actively involved in a wide range of local and global Wikimedia activities, including workshops, edit-a-thons, meetings and conferences. My regular participation in these events stimulates engagement and fosters collaboration within the Wikimedia community. I firmly believe in the importance of these initiatives to strengthen ties between contributors, share knowledge and encourage the continued growth of the Wikimedia movement. My continued involvement in these activities demonstrates my determination to promote the exchange of ideas and make a meaningful contribution to our global community.
Organizational Leadership: I'm actively creating and developing a community in the field of education in French-speaking Africa. I've noticed an imbalance where Wikimedia educational projects are more developed in the English-speaking world compared to French-speaking Africa, whereas it's in this professional field that the future of the movement in French-speaking Africa lies. I'm determined to bridge this gap by mobilizing and bringing together education players to promote and support Wikimedia initiatives in our region. My aim is to strengthen and energize this educational community to foster the sustainable growth and development of the Wikimedia movement in French-speaking Africa.
Through my many experiences, I have developed a deep understanding of the complexities of our movement, which will enable me to implement the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) in an effective and informed manner. These varied experiences have given me practical expertise and a global vision, preparing me to meet the challenges and opportunities of building a respectful and inclusive community culture at Wikimedia. I am convinced that my in-depth knowledge of the movement will be a valuable asset in ensuring the success and positive impact of the UCoC.
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| Professional Experience, Skills and Education
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| Please briefly describe 3 situations that show how you worked on, or advised others on, a complex conduct or policy issue. How did you work with others to address the situations?
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A situation illustrating my involvement in complex management or policy issues:
- A few years ago, I was personally confronted with the doxing of a volunteer, and at the time, I thought it was something normal. However, I quickly consulted the code of conduct and that's when I realized that this behavior was not acceptable. I immediately informed the project's administrators, who directed me to the Wikimedia whistleblower. This experience made me realize how important it is to have a clear code of conduct that is respected by everyone, to guarantee safety and respect within our community.
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| Leadership Experience
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| Can you describe a policy, on wiki or off, that you helped to create or change? What did you learn from this experience?
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I have played an active role in strategic decision-making for my local community and region, paying particular attention to ensuring that equity is respected at all levels. I have helped shape orientations and policies to ensure that every voice is heard and that all stakeholders are fairly represented. My strong commitment to equity at all levels is a testament to my determination to promote inclusive and responsible governance within our Wikimedia community.
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| How have you been able to empower people to make their voices heard?
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Enabling individuals to make their voices heard has been at the heart of my approach to Wikimedia communities. I've implemented a variety of strategies to ensure fair representation and meaningful participation:
- Consultations and open meetings: I organized open consultations and meetings where everyone could express their opinions, concerns and ideas. These sessions encouraged open and inclusive dialogue.
- Interactive online platforms: I developed and used interactive online platforms to gather feedback from community members. This enabled continuous and transparent participation, even outside physical meetings.
- Training and awareness-raising: I provided training and awareness-raising sessions to strengthen community members' skills in speaking out and participating in decision-making processes.
- Representation on decision-making bodies: I have worked actively to ensure equitable representation on decision-making bodies, encouraging diversity and inclusion.
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| Sometimes in professional situations, there are personality conflicts. Explain how you remain productive even with personality conflicts.
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Despite the challenges associated with personality conflicts, I firmly maintain my focus on productivity and collaboration by implementing a solid approach centered on common goals. Here's how I deal with these situations with determination and confidence:
- Open and constructive communication: I encourage open and constructive communication to address differences and resolve conflicts. I encourage honest and respectful discussions in order to understand each other's points of view and find mutually acceptable solutions.
- Setting clear standards: I work to define clear standards and common expectations within the team or community. This helps clarify roles, responsibilities and objectives, reducing the risk of misunderstanding and conflict.
- Focus on shared goals: I constantly refocus attention on the goals and results we're striving to achieve together. By emphasizing our shared goals, we can channel our energies into constructive action rather than focusing on personal disagreements.
- Encouraging proactive conflict resolution: Rather than avoiding conflict, I approach it proactively by encouraging open discussion and the search for solutions. I value collaborative approaches that enable compromise and promote team cohesion.
- Maintaining a positive environment: By cultivating a climate of mutual respect and trust, I foster an environment where everyone feels listened to and valued. This helps reduce tensions and promotes a culture of collaboration.
By applying these principles with determination and confidence, I am able to transform the challenges of personal conflict into opportunities to strengthen productivity and cohesion within the team or community. My belief in the importance of common goals guides my conflict management towards positive and lasting results.
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| Strategic Thinking
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| In your opinion, how can the U4C be a positive influence in the Wikimedia movement?
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The Universal Code of Conduct Coordinating Committee (U4C) holds transformative potential for the Wikimedia movement by actively promoting inclusion, safety and accountability. Here's how this commitment can have a significant impact:
- Promoting inclusion: U4C strives to create an inclusive culture where every contributor feels respected and valued. By setting clear standards and raising community awareness of inclusive behaviors, the committee fosters diversity and encourages the participation of all members.
- Enhancing safety: U4C plays an essential role in protecting contributors by establishing guidelines against harassment, doxing and other harmful behavior. By ensuring that members feel safe and protected, the committee fosters an environment conducive to collaboration and innovation.
- Member accountability: By implementing reporting and conflict resolution processes, the U4C encourages the accountability of community members. By ensuring that behavior contrary to the code of conduct is dealt with appropriately, the committee reinforces the integrity and reputation of the Wikimedia movement.
- Impact on community culture: The U4C helps shape a respectful and ethical community culture within Wikimedia. By emphasizing the core values of respect and civility, the committee sets positive standards that enhance the reputation and appeal of the movement.
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| How would you help the Universal Code of Conduct develop and improve over time?
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If chosen, I will be fully committed to actively contributing to the ongoing development and improvement of the universal code of conduct, adopting a proactive and determined approach. Here's how I intend to put this commitment into practice:
- Active participation in discussions: I will play a dynamic role in discussions on the universal code of conduct by sharing my ideas and listening carefully to the opinions of other members of the community. I strongly believe in the importance of open collaboration to advance standards of behavior within Wikimedia.
- Consultation with diverse community members: I will proactively seek input and feedback from a variety of Wikimedia community members, including seasoned contributors, newcomers and representatives of different groups. This inclusive approach will ensure that the code of conduct reflects the needs and perspectives of the entire community.
- Recommending necessary revisions: By carefully monitoring the changing needs and challenges within Wikimedia, I will recommend necessary revisions to the Universal Code of Conduct. I will remain attentive to feedback, emerging trends and recommendations to ensure that the code remains relevant and effective in a constantly changing environment.
- Commitment to continuous improvement: I will actively promote a culture of continuous improvement of the Universal Code of Conduct. This will involve identifying gaps, proposing innovative solutions and encouraging the adoption of best practices aimed at strengthening the application and effectiveness of the code.
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