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Open Knowledge Initiatives

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The Open Knowledge Initiatives (OKI) is a strategic initiative with the aim to foster language diversity and promote equitable access to knowledge across the Indian subcontinent. Through community-led and multilingual efforts across Wikimedia projects like Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikisource, Wikidata in research, partnerships, technology development, and outreach, the initiative seeks to strengthen and expand the open knowledge and technology ecosystem.

Through the Open Knowledge Initiatives, we join hands with diverse communities to build inclusive, multilingual spaces for collaboration, innovation, and exchange with GLAM institutions, Free Software Movements, FOSS United, and other Open Data movements. Together, we strive to reshape the knowledge and technology landscape in the Indian subcontinent, making it more accessible, equitable, and reflective of our cultural and linguistic richness.

Building on Legacy—A New Chapter: A2K’s Strategic Integration with IIIT-Hyderabad

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Over the past decade, the Access to Knowledge (A2K) program at the Centre for Internet and Society has played a pivotal role as a movement partner for the Wikimedia Foundation in shaping the Wikimedia movement in India. Through its sustained efforts to support Indic language communities, A2K has championed the development of free knowledge ecosystems rooted in linguistic and cultural diversity. The team has led impactful initiatives in community capacity building, content creation, and technology development tailored to the needs of underrepresented languages. From fostering local leadership and organising national-level events to supporting technical contributions and strategic partnerships, A2K’s work has laid a strong foundation for a more inclusive and representative Wikimedia movement across Indic language Wikimedia projects.

Building on this legacy, in May 2025 the Access to Knowledge (A2K) program has now entered a new chapter through a strategic integration with the Raj Reddy Center for Technology and Society(RCTS) at the International Institute for Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad. The Open Knowledge Initiatives (OKI) team will now continue and expand A2K’s mission—deepening its commitment to open knowledge, supporting Indic language communities, and strengthening the broader Wikimedia and digital commons ecosystem in India and beyond.

Mission Statement

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The mission of the Open Knowledge Initiative centres around two interconnected goals: Advancing language diversity and Expanding equitable access to knowledge to support and augment the open knowledge and technology ecosystem across the Indic languages.
To carry out this mission effectively, the initiative will work across the following key areas:

  1. Supporting the growth and diversification of open knowledge communities in Indic languages: This includes nurturing community-driven, multilingual engagement through research, technology development, outreach, and strategic partnerships. Special emphasis is placed on reaching and empowering communities across the Global Majority.
  2. Building networks and shaping the future of the digital commons: By fostering collaborations with cultural institutions, academia, creative practitioners, industry, civil society organisations, and policymakers, the initiative aims to strengthen the open knowledge and technology ecosystem. It also focuses on building capacity and thought leadership to promote innovation, inclusivity, and access within the digital public good landscape.

Our Goals

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The initiative will focus on the following key areas:

  • Capacity building and Community leadership development
  • Community support and inclusive outreach
  • Exploring synergy between the open movement and key stakeholders like academia, industry, policy, creative practice and civil society.
  • Research and thought leadership
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Technological innovation tailored to the needs of Indic and global majority communities
  • Technology outreach

Our Team

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  • Meet the Open Knowledge Initiatives team: Our team is committed to fostering inclusive, community-led ecosystems that support language diversity, open knowledge, and technological innovation in the Indic languages.
  • Ankit Kumar Verma
  • Krupal Kasyap
  • Medini K.N.
  • Nagaraj M.P.
  • Nitesh
  • Nivas
  • Pavan Santhosh
  • Sneha P.P.
  • Subodh Kulkarni
  • Tanveer Hasan (Advisor)

Get in touch

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Get in touch with us via:

  • Email: contact.oki(_AT_)research.iiit.ac.in

Greetings

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If you wish to share your greetings or wishes for the Open Knowledge Initiatives team, kindly write them here.

  1. Great news! Looking forward to working together to make contributing to and consuming knowledge from Wikimedia projects easy, impactful, and engaging. --Gopala Krishna A (talk) 13:32, 27 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  2. Very exciting! Looking forward. Best, KCVelaga (talk) 08:08, 28 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  3. This is truly wonderful news and a significant step forward for the Wikimedia community. Collaborating with IIIT will greatly enhance educational programs and support various other initiatives. Congratulations to the entire team on this achievement! --Santhosh Notagar99 (talk) 17:30, 28 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  4. It's a very good news! Wishing all the success for this amazing new beginning! JyotiPN (talk) 06:26, 29 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  5. It is with great enthusiasm and admiration that we extend our heartfelt congratulations on the launch of the IIIT Open Knowledge Initiative. This remarkable endeavor represents a significant step toward democratizing knowledge, fostering innovation, and empowering communities through open access to information. Your commitment to knowledge-sharing and collaboration will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on learners, researchers, and visionaries around the world. By breaking down barriers to information, you are paving the way for a future where education and discovery are accessible to all. May this initiative thrive and inspire generations to come. Wishing you immense success in your journey ahead—may your efforts bring forth new ideas, groundbreaking research, and transformative opportunities for all who seek knowledge. Once again, congratulations on this monumental achievement! -- Exec8 (talk) 06:31, 29 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  6. Great news! Happy to hear that the good work done by you guys at A2K will carry on! Wishing you a lot of success! --Maor X (talk) 06:32, 29 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  7. Dear all at the OKI, I am so glad your experience and work will continue to be a reality! Wishing you a lot of courage and fun on this new path! notafish }<';> 06:43, 29 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  8. Heartfelt congratulations to the dedicated team of familiar personnel. I wish you great success and impactful outcomes in the exciting Open Knowledge Initiative venture.--A826 · ✉ · © 08:19, 29 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  9. This news has made all of us at DCW very happy. We look forward to fruitful collaborations in the near future, and hope that A2K's spirits always remain high with the new name. signed, Aafi (DCW) (talk) 16:47, 30 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  10. Very happy to know your collaboration with IIITH. All the best--Vjsuseela (talk) 12:49, 31 May 2025 (UTC).[reply]
  11. Heartiest congratulations to the powerful team and best wished for the future endeavors. :) Chinmayee Mishra (talk) 17:35, 31 May 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  12. The A2K team did some great work in collaboration with Tewiki in the last few years. I enjoyed working with Pavan, Nivas and Nitesh as part of Tewiki project. I am happy to see them in action in this new outfit also. Looking forward to working with this team. I dont see Mr. Tanveer Hasan in this team. Tewiki will be missing his support and guidance. __Chaduvari (talk) 11:12, 1 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  13. Although I am a newbie but I really liked the idea!! Looking forward to this,wishing you success. :) Herdaisymione (talk) 13:00, 1 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  14. Although I liked wiki India's collaboration with Centre for Internet and Society (India), over the years I understood the reasons why people requested more structure through collaboration with larger, more established organizations. To have a Wikipedia community organization operating through a center at International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad seems ideal. This seems hopeful and beneficial for Wikipedia editors in India, Wikipedia readers globally, students and researchers at the IIT, and to people throughout India who want better representation in global online media. Best wishes Bluerasberry (talk) 17:35, 3 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  15. Congratulations, team! I'm looking forward to seeing what you can accomplish in your new home. --LiAnna (Wiki Ed) (talk) 17:56, 3 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  16. Many congratulations, OKI team. Look forward to connecting and collaborating. --Psubhashish (talk) 01:59, 10 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  17. I am so pleased to see that the team was able to transition to a new home. I know you are going to continue to do outstanding work and I can't wait to brainstorm about it. --JStephenson (WMF (talk) 01:59, 10 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  18. Many congratulation ---Bharathesha Alasandemajalu (talk) 17:12, 17 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]
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