2025-08-09 –, ELDORET (Clubhouse)
Language: English
This session is part of the public consultations on Wikispore and Wikinews future as sister projects.
Participants will discuss the conditions for approving new projects, including sustainability, community support, and alignment with Wikimedia’s mission. Additionally, the session will explore the challenges facing Wikinews, potential reforms, and possible outcomes, such as revitalization, integration with other projects, or alternative solutions. Wikimedia contributors, project founders, and community members are invited to share insights, propose guidelines, and help shape policies that ensure the effectiveness and longevity of Wikimedia initiatives. Whether you’re interested in starting a new project or concerned about the future of Wikinews, this consultation provides a crucial platform for discussion and decision-making.
Aims:
* To define clear and practical criteria for creating new Wikimedia projects using Wikispore as an example.
* To evaluate the current status and future possibilities of Wikinews within the Wikimedia ecosystem.
* To engage Wikimedia community members in shaping policies that ensure projects' sustainability and relevance.
Objectives:
* Clarify key guidelines for approving new Wikimedia projects, considering community demand, feasibility, and alignment with Wikimedia’s mission.
* Assess Wikinews's challenges and successes, identifying potential paths forward, such as revitalization, integration, or alternative models.
* Facilitate discussions with Wikimedia contributors, developers, and stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives and insights.
* Develop actionable recommendations for Wikimedia’s governing bodies regarding approving new projects and the future of Wikinews.
- What other themes or topics does your session fit into? Please choose from the list of tags below.
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Collaboration, Product development
- How does your session relate to the event theme: Wikimania@20: Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?
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The session is aimed at establishing the criteria for the sustainability of Wikimedia Sister Projects.
- What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
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Everyone can participate in this session
- 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
- 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
Dr. Victoria Doronina is a biologist and a dedicated member of the Wikimedia community. Originally from Belarus, she earned her PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Edinburgh in 2001. Since 2006, Victoria had been an active contributor to the Russian Wikipedia, an ArbCom member and administrator and had participating in various Wikimedia projects, including Wikimedia Commons and Russian Wikinews. In 2021, Victoria was elected to the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees, where she contributes to the Community Affairs Committee, the Product and Technology Committee, and leads the Sister Projects Task Force. She was reappointed to the Board in 2024.