PhilWiki Community/Engagement Call, 2025

PhilWiki Community Engagement Call, 2025

Last January 19th, at The Boardroom by Keystone ― the organization's creative space, the PhilWiki Community discussed the learning questions in the Community Engagement Survey to gather valuable insights for the planning of activities in 2025-2026, and to come up with new strategies during the 1-hour hybrid community engagement meeting.^[1] The meeting concluded with a celebration of Wikipedia‘s 24th birthday.^[2]

Profile of the participants: Out of sixteen (16) respondents, 9 are female, highlighting a significant representation of women in this particular group. Of these individuals, only 6 consider Wikipedia to be their home Wiki, which indicates varying levels of connection to the platform (Wikisource, 5; Wikimedia Commons, 4). Furthermore, 7 participants have been actively involved in the movement for at least 3 years, demonstrating a commitment to contributing to the broader goals and initiatives. Among the respondents, 9 belong to the Bikol Wikipedia Community, reflecting a strong regional engagement, while 5 are affiliated with Wiki Clubs, showcasing diverse avenues of participation. This varied demographic information provides valuable insight into the composition and backgrounds of the respondents, allowing for a better understanding of the community dynamics and the different experiences that contribute to the movement's growth and sustainability.

Learning Questions and Key Insights

The discussion aimed to gather valuable insights from the attendees for the planning of activities of PhilWiki Community for 2025-2026 and come up with new strategies. Four learning questions centered on Promotion of Open Knowledge, Participation, Diversity and Inclusion, Partnership and Collaboration and Pursuit of Purpose refining the organization's main strategies:

1. How do outreach activities, advocacy programs and online campaigns help raise the awareness of Wikimedia projects in the Philippines as a platform that serves open knowledge? (Paano makakatulong ang mga gawaing pagpapalawak sa pamamagitang ng mga aktibidad, programa at kampanya sa pagpapalaganap sa Pilipinas ng kamalayan sa Wikimedia bilang mga proyekto na nagbabahagi ng mga impormasyong binuo sa pamamagitan ng kolaborasyon o open knowledge?)

Key insights on Promotion of Open Knowledge: It is essential for potential members to fully grasp our mission and objectives, and how their involvement can contribute to meaningful change. Cultivating a community that values collaboration in building free knowledge ensures sustainability of outreach efforts, advocacy programs, and online campaigns. Through diverse campaign platforms, new volunteers from different sectors can contribute to our goals.

2. What strategies can help improve participation and engagement from various sectors of our Filipino society in the Wikimedia movement? Ano-anong mga estratehiya ang makakatulong sa pagpapaigting ng pakikilahok at pakikibahagi ng mga indibidwal mula sa iba't ibang sektor ng lipunang Pilipino sa Wikimedia movement?

Key insights on Participation, Diversity and Inclusion: A diverse approach is needed to boost participation from various sectors within the society. Collaborations with institutions that preserve our history, indigenous Philippine languages and traditions. Policies should promote diversity by encouraging women and underrepresented group to participate. New editors need training on Wikimedia rules, covering community guidelines, editing processes, and content creation best practices, while emphasizing copyright laws and ethical standards. Workshops should provide hands-on experience to help them contribute confidently to the Wikimedia movement.

3. What opportunities can be created out of partnership and collaboration with civic and professional organizations, and GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, museums) and educational institutions? Ano-anong oportunidad ang malilikha buhat sa pakikipag-ugnayan at pakikipagtulungan sa mga sibiko at propesyunal na samahan, at mga institusyong pang-akademiko at GLAM (galeriya, laybrari, artsibo, museo)?

Key insights on Partnership and Collaboration: Partnerships with GLAM institutions, educational organizations, and professional groups can enhance the Wikimedia movement in the Philippines ultimately broadening the audience. Collaborations create opportunities to enrich Wikimedia projects by providing open access to unique cultural resources and by integrating Wikimedia into curricula, especially in history subjects. Digitizing collections as well as organizing exhibitions and workshops will engage new contributors, and raise public awareness, supporting Wikimedia’s mission for free, accessible information.

4. How can we empower the Filipino volunteers and content contributors, and enhance the organizational capacity of PhilWiki Community in advancing Wikimedia Movement’s strategic direction – Knowledge as a Service (become a platform that serves knowledge in many formats and builds tools for allies) and Knowledge Equity (focus on the knowledge and communities that structures of power and privilege have left out)? Paano nabibigyan ng pagkakataong maipamalas ng mga katuwang at taga-ambag na Pilipino sa mga proyekto ng Wikimedia, at napapahusay ang kakayahan ng organisasyon ng PhilWiki Community sa pagsulong ng estratehikong direksyon ng Wikimedia Movement – Kaalaman bilang isang Paglilingkod (maging tagpuan para pagbubuo ng mga kaalaman sa iba't ibang format at mga kasangkapang kinakailangan ng mga katuwang) at Pagkapantay-pantay ng Kaalaman (nakatuon sa kaalaman at mga komunidad na naisantabi dahil sa pribilehiyo at kapangyarihan)?

Key insights on Pursuit of Purpose: Empowering Filipino volunteers requires training, resources, and opportunities to support Wikimedia's strategic goals. By promoting community engagements, we can ensure knowledge equity and enhance Wikimedia's service to diverse communities. Recognition and reward systems can motivate volunteers, acknowledging their contributions and fostering a sense of community.

GLAM Strategy Session

During the GLAM Wiki Conference Philippines 2024 held in September, we asked the participants to engage in the discussion on GLAM Strategy with the following questions: What do we want to achieve in the next 12 months as a Community? What activities, projects or programs of Wikimedia are you most interested in? Why? How can Wikimedia communities help GLAMs (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) share their knowledge?

Two methods were used in gathering insights and ideas: Google form survey and post-it notes utilized during the conference, collecting their feedback and perspectives. A total of 13 individuals participated via the Google Form while 20 individuals out of the 34 respondents on the post-conference survey indicated that they actively participated during the strategy session held on Day 2, providing a richer context for the discussions. This method allowed us to better understand the diverse viewpoints of the participants, ensuring that a wide range of ideas was captured for future implementation. The combination of these methods promoted an interactive environment where attendees were encouraged to express their thoughts freely, contributing to a more dynamic and engaging conference experience.

Summary

To achieve the following within the next 12-months: 1) Activities that bridge knowledge gap; address age and linguistic diversity; 2) Programs that build partnership with institutions; capacity building among contributors; 3) Organizational and community outreach activities
To engage in the following activities, projects or programs: 1)Translations; local language based WikiProjects i.e. edit-a-thon and proofreading contests; 2) Advocacy/promotion, outreach/engagement with institutions i.e. visiting libraries, digitalizing manuscripts (proofreading) and photography; 3) Public engagement and promotions; 4) Wiki Loves Philippines photography contests i.e. Wiki Loves Folklore, Wiki Loves Earth
To support GLAMs (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) share their knowledge: 1) Conduct advocacy campaigns i.e. lectures, series of workshops,

conferences and essential partnerships; tours and exhibits; 2) Engage in digitization and digital archiving; partnership with GLAM institutions; 3) Produce and disseminate educational materials i.e. exhibit on GLAMs, create educational materials based on GLAM collections

Community Engagement Surveys

Other reports

References

↑ Invitation to join the Community discussion to form programs for 2025-2026. Official Facebook page. Posted on January 14, 2025.
↑ Community discusses its future programs The PhilWiki Community Blog. Posted on January 20, 2025

[1] Invitation to join the Community discussion to form programs for 2025-2026. Official Facebook page. Posted on January 14, 2025.

[2] Community discusses its future programs The PhilWiki Community Blog. Posted on January 20, 2025

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