WikiIndaba Conference 2018/Egbe Eugene/Report

Event Name

WikiIndaba Conference 2018

My Input

I participated by contributing in the following ways;

• Presenting a session on Improving the ways in which Afro-facts are added into Wikidata.
• As a developer, I discussed with the promoters of the African developer community (AWMD Project) on the strategies which the developer Wikimedia developers ecosystem can be promoted and also how to keep these communities more engaged.
• I also shared the happening day-by-day on social media to update those who followed the event from a far distance.

• Spreading the word about Wikidata and the awesome things that can be done around Wikidata to the other attendees. This was to those who could not find their way around Wikidata whom I had to assist during the Wikidata workshop .
• Was opportune to attend a small discussion with other grantees (headed by the WMF grant team) where I provided ideas on how the grant procedure can be made better.

Participant Connections

Since it was my first conference I said to myself "I will talk briefly with everyone", and this got me the opportunity to know everyone and also to connect with people who did great works in areas of my interest like;

• Alex Stinson of WMF (GLAM strategist)
• Jifar WMF (Grants Officer).
• Felix Nartey.
• Stephane of Kiwix.
• Emna Mizouni (AffCom member)
• Samuel Guebo
• Jack Rabah
• Zack McCune
• Hanna Petruschat and a host of others

Outcome

Indaba '18 was a great conference for me and in one word just Awesome! Just more that meeting other Wikimedians, I got enough to get home ranging from knowledge about organizing events, workshops and new ways of getting community members engage more.

Also, the above connections have led to very close collaboration, a few of which are;

• A proposed strategy for raising and sustaining African developer communities (currently under review by AWMD team).
• A strengthened tie with WMDE which is ready to assist in all Wikidata events my local community.
• The creation of new partnerships for GLAM projects with universities and other Non-governmental Organizations.

And finally, this conference offered a proof that the movement recognizes what I do as a volunteer and so pushes me to do more.

Photos

• My Photo Appearances
• 
  Preparing laptop donated by the WMF before presentation
• 
  participating in day 1 activities
• 
  After conference registration
• 
  During presentation session
• 
  Learning about affiliates
• 
  Group photo
• 
  Day 3 workshop