Timezone: +00:00
Event:WAH Episode 46 - Organize, Lead, Sustain: The Power of Wikimedia Bodies
WAH Episode 46 - Organize, Lead, Sustain: The Power of Wikimedia Bodies
Start and end time
16:00, 28 May 2025 to 17:30, 28 May 2025
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WikiAfrica Hour is a monthly live discussion that supports the activities of the WikiAfrica movement and Wikimedians across Africa.
WikiAfrica Hour's intention is to: Share current updates and highlights of African Wikimedian activities Interact with guest(s) (if any), and take questions from community members Promote synergy within the Wiki community by discussing topics, projects, constraints, collaborations, and opportunities.
Description
[edit]Behind every Wikimedia project is a network of passionate individuals—and the structures that help them thrive. In this episode, we explore the types of collaborative groups that power the Wikimedia movement, from User Groups to Thematic Organizations and Chapters. Why are these bodies so essential, and how do they help communities organize themselves around shared goals, whether local or thematic? We’ll unpack the steps to start a group, how to choose the right structure, and why some regions have many groups coexisting. Our guests will share ideas for building capacity, attracting leaders, and evolving from grassroots efforts into stable organizations. We’ll also discuss practical insights on funding—from Wikimedia sources to external partnerships—and how communities sustain themselves financially and strategically. Finally, we dive into the challenges of long-term sustainability and what it takes to keep governance structures healthy, adaptive, and impactful over time.
Join us on Wednesday, 28th May, 4 PM UTC to enjoy this interesting episode.
Guest Host
[edit]- Delphine Ménard: She began contributing to Wikimedia projects in 2004, and her involvement soon expanded beyond editing to include roles in community governance and organizational development. She served as the Wikimedia Foundation’s Chapters Coordinator and held board positions with both Wikimedia France and Wikimedia Deutschland, as well as on the Funds Dissemination Committee (FDC). She recently was appointed to the newly formed Global Resources Distribution Committee (GRDC).
Guests
[edit]- Tochi Precious: Co-founder & Executive Director of Igbo Wikimedia Organization, and Wikimedian in Residence at Wikitongues. She's a member of the Language Committee and a Board Member at Wiki in Africa and African & Proud.
- Harriet Bayel: She serves as the Community Lead of the GOI Foundation and is a member of the Affiliations Committee. From 2021 to 2023, she also served as a member of the Regional Grants Committee for Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Martin Hipangwa: He founded Wikimedia Community User Group Namibia, which strives for the advocacy of digital literacy skills and open-access knowledge platforms such as Wikipedia and its sister projects in Namibia.
- KOFFI Kangah Donatien: Discovering Wikipedia in 2012, he co-founded the Wikimedia Côte d'Ivoire User Group. His commitment extends internationally as a trainer and member of the Wikifranca microgrant committee. He also collaborates with several African communities and organizes the French-speaking Wikiconvention 2023 in Abidjan.
In Focus Section
[edit]Highlights from Wiki Loves Africa 2025
We will listen to Hilary Ogali, WLA facilitator, and Dappa Solomon, WLA local organiser who made a big splash in 2025!
🎤 Hilary shares the biggest highlights and wins from this year’s competition, while Dappa opens up about his first-time experience, the challenges, the triumphs—and tips for anyone ready to join or host next time!