Affiliations Committee/Candidates/2025/Darafsh
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Darafsh (talk • meta edits • global user summary • CA)
| Preferred name | Darafsh | |
|---|---|---|
| What languages do you speak, and at what fluency level? (Please include your English proficiency.) | fa-N, en-4, tg-4, ar-2, de-1 | |
| 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 lived and worked in Iran and am currently based in Germany, with extensive experience across Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan. I collaborate closely with communities in Central Asia through regional Wikimedia initiatives and cross-border projects. | |
| What Wikimedia project(s) do you actively edit? And in what language(s)? | Persian, Tajik and English Wikipedia, Persian Wikisource, Wikidata, and Commons. | |
| 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? | I am actively involved with the Iranian Wikimedians User Group, where I currently serve as the Chair of the Board. I was also one of the founders of the Tajik Wikimedians User Group and served as a key contact for two years. Although my formal term has ended, I continue to be active within the Tajik community and maintain close collaboration with regional affiliates. | |
| Have you served on any committees (movement-related or otherwise)? And what was your role on the committee(s)? | I served on the Persian Wikipedia Arbitration Committee in 2015 (6th committee) as a member, and again in 2021 (12th committee) as both a member and the spokesperson of the committee. I have served on several Wikimedia-related committees. I was a member of the Central Asian WikiCon 2025 Scholarship Committee and part of its organizing committee. I have also served on regional coordination and event committees within the Wikimedia movement, focusing on community engagement, grant management, and cross-regional collaboration. | |
| Please describe any experience you have with conflict resolution and/or consensus building. | I have extensive experience in conflict resolution and consensus building through my work in Wikimedia communities and affiliate leadership. As the Chair of the Iranian Wikimedians User Group, I regularly facilitate discussions among diverse members, helping to resolve disagreements and reach shared decisions on community priorities. During my tenure as a member and spokesperson of the Persian Wikipedia Arbitration Committee (2015 and 2021 terms), I handled complex community disputes, mediated sensitive cases, and helped draft decisions that balanced fairness, transparency, and policy compliance (6th committee cases, 12th committee cases). These experiences have strengthened my ability to listen, remain neutral, and guide groups toward constructive consensus. | |
| In your ideal world, what does the affiliate model and ecosystem look like? | An ideal affiliate model is one where communities can work independently but still feel connected and supported. Each affiliate, no matter where it is or how big it is, should have fair access to resources and learning opportunities. Cooperation between regions should happen naturally, through shared goals and regular exchange. The Wikimedia Foundation’s role should be to listen, guide, and help build trust, not to direct. | |
| In your ideal world, what are AffCom’s roles and responsibilities in relation to the movement and affiliates? | AffCom should act as a bridge between the Wikimedia Foundation and affiliates, a body that listens, supports, and guides rather than merely evaluates. Its main role should be to help new and existing affiliates grow in a healthy and sustainable way, ensuring they have the tools and mentorship they need. AffCom should also focus on building trust and dialogue across regions, recognizing diverse community realities while upholding shared movement values and accountability. | |
| What role within AffCom are you most interested in: advisory or voting member? | I am most interested in serving as a voting member, as it would allow me to take an active part in decision-making, represent the perspectives of underrepresented regions such as Central and West Asia, and contribute directly to shaping fair and transparent outcomes for affiliates across the movement. | |