ESEAP Strategy Summit 2025/Report/Wadakuramon

I am Wadakuramon from Japan, real name is Yuriko Kadokura.

What I learned at the Strategy Summit

Although the theme was narrower than last year's conference, there were many ingenious ideas in the program to draw out opinions from participants with different backgrounds and experiences, and I was able to learn something meaningful. Also I was able to learn a lot, such as the outline and significance of the "Liaison" that the Hub is trying to promote, and the outline and history of CEE. I also found out that there are people who understand Japan and the Japanese language and want to deepen their relationship. Furthermore, I was reminded of the dedicated work of the WM Foundation staff and the organizing team who support the summit. In addition, I was able to have many unexpected experiences, such as discovering Wikimedians from other countries who are expanding the Wikimedia Commons and becoming close with Wikimedians of the same generation from other countries. Above all, I felt the gratitude of the presence of friends who share values and boldly take on difficult problems.

Participating in the Strategy Summit

I participated in all the programs that were prepared, and when we split into two, I participated in the Governance System, ESEAP Community Skills Mapping, and GLAM-Wiki meetup. Although I am not good at English, with the support of my fellow Japanese, I shared what I had thought out and also posted on social media every day that I was participating meaningfully. I am uploading the photos I took to Commons. I always thought about what I could contribute as a Wikimedian and acted accordingly.

Future plans

First, I will write my report on this experience in WM Foundation's blog Diff in both English and Japanese. Next, I will present what I learned in writing and orally and share it with my community. Furthermore, I will think carefully about what I can contribute to the ESEAP community and put it into practice.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the Summit and to all the staff who helped prepare for it.