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ESEAP Conference 2024/Report/Rumandawii

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ESEAP Conference 2024 – WCUGM
ESEAP Conference 2024
ESEAP group photo

From 10 until 12 May 2024, I attended the ESEAP Conference 2024 at Le Meridien Hotel, Kota Kinabalu. The ESEAP Conference is a regional conference for Wikimedia communities throughout the ESEAP region, and this is my first time joining it. I was able to attend the conference with a full scholarship from the Wikimedia Foundation, for which I am truly grateful. Attending the conference was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.

Things learned at the conference[edit]

From ESEAP Conference 2024, I learned that:

  • There is still more work to do in order to gain a better understanding of Wikimedia projects, which will help us to contribute more effectively in the future.
  • Engaging with other Wikimedia communities gives me valuable insight into overcoming challenges in Wikimedia projects, especially in recruiting more contributors.
ESEAP Hub Introduction[edit]
  • ESEAP is a hub structure that supports Wikimedia chapters, user groups, thematic organizations, and active contributors in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Region (ESEAP).
Wikidata[edit]
  • One way to preserve languages, especially indigenous languages, is by adding content to Wikidata.
Language workshop[edit]
  • I learned how to preserve my language, Kadazandusun, using Wiktionary and Lingua Libre. These platforms help people understand and pronounce the language accurately.
Equity[edit]
  • I discovered that Wiktionary does not censor its content. Any user can edit an entry, and the changes are shown immediately. This means that even entries about vulgar words or terms can be edited on Wiktionary. There is no formal process for removing content that may be harmful to minors. However, entries can be censored if there is a consensus to do so or if they violate Wiktionary's policies.
  • Bridge the gender gap in wiki projects by actively interviewing women, gaining insight into their experiences, and listening to their stories firsthand.
Malay heritage[edit]
  • Wikisource is not solely a manuscript repository but also a valuable resource for learning transcription. We also can preserve literary heritage through Wikisource. The role of Wikisource helped me raise my awareness about copyright issues related to manuscripts.
Campaigns[edit]
  • Optimizing the role of social media can have a positive impact on attracting people's interest to Wikimedia projects.
  • We can establish meaningful collaborations between Wikimedians and the education sector. Schools serve as gateways for connecting the Wikimedia projects to students and teachers.
  • A university wiki club could serve as a starting point for students to engage in various Wikimedia projects, foster a sense of connection to the Wikimedia movement, and build lasting relationships with the community. It provides insight into how to be a Wikimedian in a university environment.
Copyright[edit]
  • Freedom of Panorama (FOP) in ESEAP still needs to be promoted.
  • Awareness of copyright issues is crucial to avoid problems when contributing to Wikimedia projects.

Things the participant contributed or participated in or since the conference[edit]

As a session host[edit]

As a participant[edit]

I attended the sessions listed below:

Pre-conference[edit]
  • Welcome Sunset Reception & Dinner
Day 1[edit]
Day 2[edit]
Day 3[edit]

Plans after the conference[edit]

  • Explore more of Wikimedia projects.
  • Participate actively in any of Wikimedia projects/programs or workshops.
  • Start more projects to boost community involvement in Wikimedia and to further the advocacy of Indigenous languages and cultures through Wikimedia.
  • Contributing continuously to various Wikimedia projects.
  • Share learning and experiences with others to pique their interest in the Wikimedia movement.

Comments/Suggestions about the conference[edit]

  • The hotel's AV system and the employees' handling of AV system problems were not up to par. Some employees also didn't know how to adjust the room temperature when asked to increase it in a meeting room that was too cold. This issue reflects on the hotel management. Therefore, clear communication between the organizing team and the hotel management is crucial to prevent such issues.
  • The complete conference schedule should be printed and displayed outside all conference rooms. It will make it convenient for participants to see the ongoing sessions without having to check the online conference schedule repeatedly on their phones.
  • There should have been more organizing team members at the conference to handle any issues, given that the conference involved multiple rooms.
  • I often found it difficult to know which sessions were on time and which ones had been postponed. It would have been helpful to make summary announcements before the break to ensure that all participants were in the right place at the right time.
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