Establishing an ESEAP Public Policy Network

The esteemed ESEAP Community,

Taking up from the 1st WikiAdvocacy Global Meetup in Santiago Chile last year, we realized in ESEAP that just like in other regions, there is also a need for us to have a strong policy advocacy network and support group within the region.

We have been going around and talking to other members of the community in ESEAP about forming a public policy network raising awareness about public policy advocacy in the region and why we need one.

We also announced this in the ESEAP community call last November 2024 and there has been a positive response.

The ESEAP region is a dynamic and complex area with numerous challenges and opportunities. A strong public policy advocacy network in this region is crucial for several compelling reasons:

Amplifying Community Voices: Wikimedia community voices, civil society organizations in the region often lack the resources and influence to effectively advocate for our priorities. A strong advocacy network can amplify our voices, discuss relevant issues and impact within our communities, connect with policymakers, and empower them to participate in decision-making processes.

Promoting Human Rights and Democracy: Many countries in the region struggle with human rights issues, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion. Sometimes caught in this struggle are Wikimedians and/or volunteers. A robust advocacy network can advocate for democratic reforms, protect human rights, and promote inclusive governance within ESEAP in line with WMF Legal policies.

Shaping Regional Integration: The region is increasingly interconnected, with growing economic and political ties. A strong public policy advocacy network with the spirit of collaboration, can play a vital role in shaping regional integration processes, promoting cooperation, and ensuring that integration benefits all Wikimedia communities.

As ESEAP community members, we are responsible for each other and we cannot always wait for others to help us, amplify our voice for us and depend on other community members outside of our region to look for us or our communities. We are not just case studies, we should be proactive in shaping public policy to protect our community members, our movement and open knowledge.

A community-initiated public policy network must be established, strengthened and formed to support, protect the rights and educate our ESEAP community members regarding public policy advocacy; serve as a go-to network for anything legal or policy-oriented discussions and other issues involving rights, laws and policies.

We are proposing to establish an ESEAP policy network as what other communities and regions have done previously – Policy Advocacy Nigeria, Wikimedia Europe and other affiliates bolstering their public policy programs.

This year, Shared Knowledge Asia Pacific ( SKAP) is enjoining ESEAP community members and individuals within the movement to be part of a group supporting each other in terms of policy education, policy discussion, developmental legislation, impact discussion, protection of volunteer rights and other relevant issues concerning the ESEAP region.

We also plan to meet in person this July, in Thailand (in cooperation with Wikimedia Thailand) . If you are interested to join and participate, kindly signify your intention by answering the survey.