Wikimania 2025

harriet

I am an open advocate, passionate about volunteerism and bridging the digital gender gap. My work focuses on Open Knowledge, women, and youth empowerment.

As a member of the Affiliations Committee (AffCom), I support and guide Wikimedia affiliates, ensuring they thrive within the movement. Previously, I served on the Regional Grants Committee for Sub-Saharan Africa (2021-2023), helping to fund impactful community projects.

In my leisure time, I contribute content on women to Wikipedia, upload images to Commons, add items to Wikidata, and continuously expand my knowledge of Wikimedia tools and the movement.


Sessions

08-07
10:30
55min
Advocating for open access to cultural heritage, targeting UNESCO: the TAROCH initiative
harriet, Jemima Antwi, Sadik Shahadu

Africa’s cultural heritage faces barriers from copyright laws, institutional restrictions, and digital exclusion. This session explores how Wikimedia initiatives like Wiki Loves Folklore and Wiki Loves Africa document and protect cultural assets while promoting inclusivity. It also highlights TAROCH (Towards a Recommendation on Open Cultural Heritage), a global effort advocating for UNESCO to endorse open access policies. Participants will gain insights into cultural preservation, digital inclusion, and how to support TAROCH’s advocacy for copyright reform and policy change.

GLAM
NAKURU (Meeting room A)
08-09
14:00
40min
The future role of affiliates within the Wikimedia movement: How Can AffCom help?
harriet

The Affiliations Committee (AffCom) plays a vital role in ensuring the health and sustainability of Wikimedia movement affiliates. As part of our strategic retreat, we reflected on our responsibilities and identified three key areas for strengthening the movement’s future: capacity building, conflict resolution, and the affiliate model. To advance these priorities, AffCom has established dedicated working groups composed of members, advisors, and Board liaisons. This session will provide an update on our strategic initiatives, invite feedback from participants, and explore collaborative ways to enhance affiliate support.

Governance & Strategy
NYERI (Meeting room 6)