2025-08-08 –, KISUMU (🗣️ ar, es, fr, sw)
Language: English
🎥 Session recording: https://youtu.be/ENVArTyCwfE?list=PLhV3K_DS5YfLPVASK2MANk6wSHgWmbULz&t=9450 🎥
As a follow-up to a workshop held during the 2024 Wikimania, hub representatives will reconvene in person to discuss the current state of affairs, assess changes over the past year, identify challenges they are facing, and determine the support they require from one another and the Wikimedia Foundation.
This session is designed to explore the unique and shared challenges faced by different hubs while showcasing the important work being done across various regions. The primary aim is to foster learning, facilitate meaningful connections among hub representatives, and provide participants with deeper insights into hub operations and opportunities for involvement.
The first part of the workshop will take the form of a panel discussion, where hub representatives will share their regional approaches to building networks, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement. By examining examples such as EARTH Hub, Wikimedia Europe, ESAP Hub, the CEE Hub, and other regional initiatives (depending on attendance at Wikimania), we will identify best practices and areas needing further development. Additionally, the session will explore ways to strengthen international collaborations to create a more interconnected and effective global network.
In the second part of the session, participants will break into small groups to engage in focused discussions on key topics such as hub sustainability and financing, internal governance, and international cooperation. This interactive segment will provide an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas, offer constructive feedback, and learn from one another’s experiences.
This session is designed for individuals with experience in leading international discussions and meetings, particularly those who consider the local context of their communities and are committed to shaping a strategic vision for their network. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful conversations about the future of their hubs and networks.
Ultimately, this session aims to inspire ongoing collaboration beyond the workshop, connect participants with relevant networks and resources, and strengthen both regional and international partnerships for lasting impact.
- Should your session be selected for the program, do you agree to release your session and supporting materials on-wiki and on the eventyay platform under CC BY-SA 4.0?
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I agree
- What other themes or topics does your session fit into? Please choose from the list of tags below.
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Collaboration
- How does your session relate to the event theme: Wikimania@20: Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?
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Encouraging inclusive collaboration among regional networks, sharing insights on common challenges, and working together to build mutual understanding and shared goals will help us create meaningful impact. Without genuine impact, sustainability holds little value.
- What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
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Average knowledge about Wikimedia projects or activities
- How do you plan to deliver this session? You will be asked to confirm this closer to the date in case of changes to the format.
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Onsite in Nairobi
Bukola James is a certified librarian and passionate open knowledge advocate committed to promoting open access to information and empowering communities through digital literacy. As co‑founder of Africa Wiki Women, Sub‑Saharan Liaison for the Let’s Connect working group, and Community Coordinator for the African Wikipedian Alliance, she has played a key role in fostering collaboration across the Wikimedia community. In addition to serving as vice chair of the Wikipedia + Education User Group, Bukola leads the Learnovation Network Foundation as chairperson, where she champions innovation, fosters partnerships, and drives initiatives that strengthen digital literacy and collaboration within the open knowledge movement.
For the past 15 years I worked as a project manager and consultant on various projects funded mostly (but not exclusively) by the EU, WB, UNICEF and EEA grants. I have experience with creating and implementing business and work processes in companies, non-governmental organisations and for not formally registered groups.
I am working for the CEE Hub as a regional coordinator since autumn 2022.
Editor on Wikimedia projects since 2005.
Co-founder of the Wikimedia Community User Group Turkey (2015) and leading its activities since its inception.
Served as a member of the Affiliations Committee (AffCom) from 2020 to 2024.
Member of the CEE Hub Steering Committee since 2023.
Head of the Cooperation and Decentralization Program of Wikimedia Argentina since 2021. Part of the Volunteer Supporters' Network leadership team, along with Wikimedia UK. Head of Programs and Community Engagement at Wikimedia LGBT since April 2025.
She holds a degree in Geography and a diploma in Internet Governance, with a background in gender and sexuality studies. She is also a professor of Communication Technologies.
Wikimedian at large and Chair of the CEE Hub Steering Committee since March 2025. Bureaucrat and administrator of the Maltese language Wikipedia and board member of Wikimedia Community User Group Malta. Former Education Program Coordinator for Wikimedia UK (2013–2015).
Robertsky (Robert Sim) hails from Singapore and was part of the COT for Wikimania 2023 in Singapore. Since 2023, he has been part of the ESEAP Hub Preparatory Council, working on operationalising the hub's annual plan and governance structure.
In 2024, he became an administrator on English Wikipedia, and also started up the Wikimedia Singapore User Group.
I joined Wikimedia Europe in October 2024. My goal is to ensure Wikimedia Europe maintains good understanding of members needs and capacity, to better represent and provide support to the network. As of 2025 I'm a part time contributor. With 10+ experience in building and scaling up organisations as well as leading teams, my professional goal is to share the resources and know-how I gained to strengthen others. I'm Polish-Vietnamese. I foster stray dogs, consume passionately food and thoughts.
I imagine end of capitalism every day.