Iranian Wikimedians User Group/Report/2023
This is a report for activities performed by Iranian Wikimedians User Group in 2023.
In 2023, the Iranian Wikimedians User Group organized several impactful activities in Iran, including:
Annual meeting and 20th birthday of Persian Wikipedia[edit]
On January 9, 2024, the Iranian Wikimedians User Group held their Annual Meeting, which coincided with the celebration of the 20th birthday of Persian Wikipedia. The event took place in Tehran and attracted a significant turnout, with 100 participants comprising Wikimedia enthusiasts, editors, and advocates of free knowledge.
The event was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including seasoned Wikipedia editors, new contributors, academics, students, and other enthusiasts of open knowledge and collaborative projects. The meeting provided a unique opportunity for attendees to network, share experiences, and celebrate the achievements of Persian Wikipedia over the past two decades.
Two major panel discussions were held, focusing on important aspects of Wikipedia and its impact:
Panel Discussion 1: Notability in Wikipedia
The first panel discussion centered around the concept of notability in Wikipedia. Panelists included experienced editors and administrators who shared their insights on what constitutes notability and how it affects the inclusion of articles. They discussed the challenges of maintaining a neutral point of view, avoiding bias, and ensuring that content meets Wikipedia's rigorous standards. The discussion was interactive, with participants posing questions and sharing their perspectives on various notability criteria and contentious cases they have encountered.
Panel Discussion 2: Wiki Loves Monuments
The second panel discussion focused on the Wiki Loves Monuments initiative, a global photo contest aimed at documenting and preserving cultural heritage sites. The panelists discussed the success of the initiative in Iran, highlighting how it has helped raise awareness about the country's rich cultural heritage. They also shared strategies for engaging more participants, improving the quality of submissions, and utilizing the contest's outcomes to enhance Wikipedia's coverage of monuments. The discussion underscored the importance of community involvement in preserving cultural heritage and the role of Wikimedia projects in this endeavor.
In addition to the panel discussions, the meeting featured networking sessions and workshops. These sessions provided attendees with the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other. Workshops covered a range of topics, including advanced editing techniques, the use of Wikimedia Commons, and strategies for promoting Persian Wikipedia to wider audiences.
Celebratory Activities
To commemorate the 20th birthday of Persian Wikipedia, a series of celebratory activities were organized. These included a cake-cutting ceremony, a photo exhibition showcasing memorable moments and contributions to Persian Wikipedia, and the distribution of commemorative merchandise.
Wiki Loves Manuments[edit]
Iran was a proud participant in the Wik 2022 Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM) competition, an annual international photographic competition that celebrates cultural heritage through photography. As a result of Iran's participation, we received around 4,877 files, which were uploaded to Wikimedia Commons.
During the contest, our team responded to around 50 questions and comments on Twitter, Instagram, the Wiki Loves Monuments page, and Commons. We were grateful for the opportunity to engage with the community and answer their questions about the contest and the importance of documenting Iran's cultural heritage through photography.
20th Persian Wikipedia Birthday[edit]
In addition to the main celebration in Tehran, the 20th birthday of Persian Wikipedia was also commemorated with events held in Shiraz and Zanjan. These regional gatherings mirrored the spirit of the Tehran meeting, featuring local Wikipedia editors, cultural enthusiasts, and community members.
The celebration of Persian Wikipedia's 20th birthday in Shiraz featured a series of informative presentations and discussions. Topics included an introduction to Wikipedia, the elements of a quality article, the editing environment, available tools, the structure of MediaWiki, the collaborative wiki environment, and the handling of conflicts and controversies. These sessions aimed to educate participants on various aspects of Wikipedia, fostering greater understanding and involvement in the Persian Wikipedia community.
The Zanjan celebration focused on engaging local youth in Wikimedia projects through interactive workshops and editing sessions. Both events underscored the nationwide commitment to expanding and enriching Persian Wikipedia, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose across different regions of Iran.
The Women in Red[edit]
The Women in Red 2023 Editathon successfully concluded with 20 participants creating 324 new articles, significantly enhancing the representation of notable women on Persian Wikipedia. The event saw both experienced and new editors collaborating, with seasoned contributors mentoring newcomers on Wikipedia's guidelines and editing techniques. This collaborative effort ensured high-quality articles across diverse fields, addressing the gender gap and promoting the visibility of women's achievements in various sectors. The editathon's success highlights the ongoing commitment to gender equality in online knowledge repositories.