In a landscape of knowledge dissemination and collaborative content creation, the Tanzania University Students Wikimedians Community stands as a beacon of enthusiasm and dedication. As we reflect upon the final quarter of 2023, it is with immense pride that we share the strides our community has taken in furthering the mission of Wikimedia projects. Established with the goal of fostering a culture of digital collaboration and open knowledge sharing among university students in Tanzania, our community has consistently thrived on the principles of inclusivity, diversity, and the relentless pursuit of accurate information.
Over the years, our community has evolved into a dynamic hub of intellectual exchange, bringing together students from various disciplines, backgrounds, and institutions. Our commitment to nurturing a space where individuals can harness the power of digital platforms for educational and informational purposes has been a driving force. As we delve into the activities conducted during the period of October to December 2023, we find ourselves at the intersection of innovation and tradition, where the spirit of learning and sharing converges to create a unique collaborative experience.
Events and Conference
- Wiki Women
The Wiki Win Women Edit-a-thon was a collaborative and inclusive event aimed at addressing the gender gap on Wikipedia by actively engaging participants in the creation and improvement of articles related to women. Organized with a commitment to fostering a more balanced representation, the edit-a-thon provided a platform for contributors of diverse backgrounds and expertise to enhance content pertaining to women’s achievements, contributions, and impact on various fields. The event focused on bridging informational disparities and promoting gender equity within the Wikimedia community by encouraging participants to contribute to articles, share knowledge, and collectively work towards a more comprehensive and inclusive representation of women on the platform.
Statisctics:
- New & Edited Articles: 450+
- Editors Involved: 15
- Commons Upload: 13
- Wiki Projects: Wikipedia, Wiki Commons & Wikidata
2. She Said 2023
The She Said Campaign, an initiative committed to amplifying women’s voices and experiences, aimed to address gender disparities in content representation on digital platforms. Through various outreach efforts and collaborative activities, the campaign sought to encourage the creation and enhancement of content related to women’s perspectives, achievements, and contributions. Emphasizing the importance of diverse narratives, the She Said Campaign provided a platform for contributors to share their unique stories and expertise, fostering an inclusive environment within online communities. The campaign’s neutral approach aimed to create a more balanced and representative digital landscape by actively engaging participants in expanding and enriching content that reflects the breadth of women’s experiences across different domains.
Statistics.
- New & Edited Articles: 100+
- Editors Involved: 13
- Wiki Projects: Wikipedia, Wikiquote & Wikidata
3. Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Campaign on Wikimedia was a focused initiative addressing the critical issue of gender-based violence by leveraging the Wikimedia platform for awareness and information dissemination. This campaign sought to enhance the visibility and accuracy of content related to gender-based violence, its impact, and preventive measures. Through collaborative efforts and the engagement of contributors, the campaign aimed to bridge information gaps, challenge stereotypes, and promote a more nuanced understanding of GBV within the Wikimedia community. By emphasizing neutrality and accuracy, the GBV Campaign endeavored to create a reliable and comprehensive resource on Wikimedia projects, facilitating a more informed discourse on gender-based violence and its multifaceted dimensions.
Statistics.
- New & Edited Articles: 250+
- Editors Involved: 8
- Wiki Projects: Wikipedia & Wikidata
4. End Fossil Occupy.
The End Fossil Occupy campaign, conducted in collaboration with Green Initiative Tanzania, was a concerted effort to raise awareness about the far-reaching consequences of fossil fuel usage. In a strategic partnership with the Tanzania University Students Wikimedians, the campaign incorporated Wikimedia-based content creation and dissemination to amplify its message. The Tanzania University Students Wikimedians played a crucial role by providing training sessions to participants, empowering them with the skills to effectively utilize Wikimedia projects, particularly Wikipedia, as platforms to articulate and disseminate information.
5. GLAM 2023 Conference.
The GLAM 2023 Conference witnessed full and active participation from the Tanzania University Students Wikimedians Community, underscoring our commitment to fostering collaborations between galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) and the Wikimedia movement. Our community’s engagement in various conference activities showcased our dedication to the intersection of culture, knowledge, and open access.
Notably, the Tanzania University Students Wikimedians had the privilege of presenting our latest project, “Bantu Trails in Tanzania,” during a dedicated session. This initiative, aimed at documenting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Bantu communities in Tanzania through Wikimedia projects, garnered significant interest and support within the conference, emphasizing our community’s role as contributors to the global discourse on cultural preservation and open knowledge.
Read more about the conference via this link.
6. Bantu Trails in Tanzania Launch.
The Bantu Trails in Tanzania project reached a milestone with the official launch, marking the commencement of our journey to document and preserve the cultural heritage of the Luguru tribe nestled in the picturesque Uluguru Mountains in Morogoro. The launch heralded a collaborative effort by the Tanzania University Students Wikimedians Community to capture the essence of Luguru traditions, customs, and history through Wikimedia projects.
As we embarked on this cultural exploration, our team engaged in extensive research, interviews, and on-the-ground documentation to ensure an authentic representation. The anticipated outcome is a comprehensive documentary that encapsulates the richness of Luguru culture. We are excited to announce that the documentary is slated for release during the Wiki Summit 2024, where we aim to share this cultural treasure with a global audience, furthering our commitment to open knowledge and cultural preservation.
Key Quarterly Learning Outcomes.
The key learnings from this quarter for the Tanzania University Students Wikimedians Community have been both insightful and instrumental in shaping our ongoing initiatives. Firstly, we observed a notable increase in active contributors, reflecting the effectiveness of targeted outreach and engagement efforts. This surge in participation has not only enriched our content pool but has also fostered a more vibrant and collaborative Wikimedia community.
Secondly, the quarter highlighted the importance of specialized training sessions, particularly in source verification and advanced editing techniques. These sessions addressed challenges faced by contributors, enhancing the overall quality and reliability of the content produced. Additionally, the successful launch and engagement with the Bantu Trails in Tanzania project underscored the potential of community-led initiatives in documenting and preserving cultural heritage.
Lastly, we learned that partnerships, engaging with more partners from national to international level partners this year it significantly amplified our impact and reach. These key learnings serve as valuable insights as we continue to evolve and contribute to the Wikimedia ecosystem.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, the Tanzania University Students Wikimedians Community is enthusiastic about the upcoming quarter. Building on the momentum of increased contributors and successful projects, we are excited to announce the launch of a new pilot project on Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom (RWiC) in collaboration with two learning institutions. This initiative aims to integrate Wikipedia as an educational resource within classroom settings, fostering a culture of digital literacy and open knowledge among students.
Additionally, we will be implementing the Kiwix4Schools project, furthering our commitment to making Wikimedia content accessible offline, especially in areas with limited internet connectivity. As we expand our reach and initiate these innovative projects, we remain dedicated to our mission of promoting free knowledge, collaboration, and inclusivity within the Wikimedia community.
In conclusion, the past quarter has been a period of growth, collaboration, and impactful contributions. We extend our gratitude to all community members, partners, and volunteers who have made these achievements possible. Together, we look forward to continuing our journey in promoting free knowledge and creating a more inclusive and diverse representation on Wikimedia platforms. We are open to partnerships and support, feel free to reach out via hello@openspacetanzania.org.