Affiliations Committee/Candidates/2024/Tochiprecious
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Tochiprecious (Tochiprecious)
[edit]Tochiprecious (talk • meta edits • global user summary • CA)
| Preferred name | Tochiprecious | |
|---|---|---|
| What languages do you speak, and at what fluency level? (Please include your English proficiency.) | Igbo (Native speaker), English (Native proficiency), German (B2), French (B1) | |
| What region(s) of the world do you have experience with, and what kind of experience do you have? (“Experience” can mean you have lived or worked there or are currently living or working there; you’re familiar with the culture and language; etc.) | I have significant experience across Africa, Europe, and North America, engaging deeply in each region through professional roles and cultural immersion. In Africa, as co-founder of the Igbo Wikimedians User Group and previously a Program Manager at Wennovation Hub, I have been actively involved in community development, language preservation, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, directly supporting African Wikimedia communities and bridging cultural knowledge gaps. My work with the Moleskine Foundation through the WikiAfrica Education project further strengthened my connections and impact across the continent. Currently living in Europe, along with my previous role as a Program Consultant for Wikimedia UK, has enhanced my understanding of European cultures, languages, and organizational dynamics. My role with Wikimedia UK involved fostering collaboration between UK and African open knowledge communities, allowing me to contribute to and learn from diverse European and African perspectives. In North America, I work with Wikitongues and previously with Black Lunch Table in project management and content strategy roles, where I focused on language revitalization, cultural documentation, and amplifying marginalized voices, gaining insights into community structures and approaches to inclusivity. My fluency in English and Igbo, combined with intermediate proficiency in French and German, further supports my ability to navigate these regions with cultural sensitivity and effectiveness. | |
| What Wikimedia project(s) do you actively edit? And in what language(s)? | Incubator (English), Igbo Wikipedia, Commons, Wikidata | |
| What affiliate(s) are you actively involved with? In what capacity are you involved? Do you serve in a leadership role or have you in the past? | Igbo Wikimedians User Group (Founding member), Wikitongues User Group (Wikimedian in Residence), Wikimedians in Residence Network (Member). | |
| Have you served on any committees (movement-related or otherwise)? And what was your role on the committee(s)? | Yes, I am currently a member of the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) Language Committee, representing Sub-Saharan Africa and supporting test language wikis in the incubator. I also serve on the Wiki Women’s Advisory Team, aiding in the setup of the Wiki Women’s task force, and on the Strategic Wikimedia Affiliates Network (SWAN) Organizing Committee, helping to coordinate SWAN meetings. Additionally, I participated in the Movement Charter Electoral Committee for the 2024 Charter elections, and I am a Board Member at Wiki in Africa, assisting in organizational governance. | |
| Please describe any experience you have with conflict resolution and/or consensus building. | In my work across various Wikimedia and open knowledge projects, I’ve developed strong skills in conflict resolution and consensus-building, essential for engaging diverse communities and stakeholders.
For instance, in my previous role as a Program Consultant with Wikimedia UK, I focused on building harmonious relationships between Open Knowledge communities in the UK and Africa. Organizing events like Africa Day, which brought together participants from eight countries, involved navigating cultural differences and fostering unity, ensuring that everyone’s voices were heard and respected. At Wikitongues, I work on language acceleration and revitalization programs, where collaboration with linguists and community leaders is key. I developed training materials and a revitalization toolkit, which required careful consensus-building to align the diverse goals of participants around a shared mission of language preservation. My work leading AfroCuration programs and WikiAfrica Education workshops is another example. Managing these initiatives involved guiding large groups of volunteers toward a common goal—promoting and preserving African culture. Here, I worked to build trust, resolve differing viewpoints, and encourage collaboration across diverse cultural backgrounds. In founding the Igbo Wikimedia User Group, I’ve also handled the daily complexities of leading a volunteer community, which naturally involves mediating conflicts and fostering a positive, cooperative environment. These experiences have prepared me well for the Affiliate Committee, where I look forward to continuing this work of consensus-building and conflict resolution in a broader context. | |
| In your ideal world, what does the affiliate model and ecosystem look like? | In my ideal world, the affiliate model and ecosystem are deeply collaborative, resilient, and inclusive, amplifying the voices of diverse communities worldwide. I envision it to be empowered independent affiliates with robust support and resource network where they have access to structured support system from the WMF and other experienced affiliates, offering trainings, mentorships etc. There would be collaborative knowledge sharing where affiliates share successes, lessons learned, and strategies for overcoming challenges. This model would encourage affiliates to draw on the collective experience of the movement, accelerating their own progress and fostering a strong sense of interconnectedness. | |
| In your ideal world, what are AffCom’s roles and responsibilities in relation to the movement and affiliates? | In my ideal world, AffComm serves as a pillar of support, guidance, and advocacy within the movement, acting as a bridge between affiliates and the WMF to ensure a thriving, inclusive ecosystem. I envision the Committee’s roles and responsibilities:
a. Capacity Builder and Mentor: The Affiliate Committee plays an essential role in empowering affiliates, especially newer or smaller ones, by providing mentorship, resources, and tailored training. Through workshops, peer-to-peer learning programs, and targeted guidance, the Committee helps affiliates develop their governance, program management, and community-building skills, enabling them to achieve sustainability and growth. b. Facilitator of Communication and Collaboration: The Committee facilitates communication among affiliates, creating channels where groups can share experiences, challenges, and successes. It organizes regular check-ins, roundtable discussions, and regional or thematic gatherings to ensure affiliates feel connected to the larger Wikimedia community. This role also includes maintaining open lines of communication between the affiliates and the WMF, representing affiliate needs and perspectives effectively. In summary, in my ideal world, AffComm serves as a driving force for growth, equity, and collaboration within the movement as well as a support system creating an environment where affiliates can flourish and contribute to Wikimedia’s vision of free, accessible knowledge for everyone. | |
| What role within AffCom are you most interested in: advisory or voting member? | voting member | |