WikiForHumanRights2024-Ghana W4SAFRICA/Report Summary

Overview

The Wiki for Human Rights Campaign successfully leveraged strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand its reach and impact. By working closely with institutions like the University of Ghana's Center for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies, CDKN-Ghana, and the Global Climate Change Network, the campaign was able to engage new participants, enhance content quality, and build long-term relationships that will support future initiatives.

Key Partnerships and Collaborations

University of Ghana’s Center for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies: Our primary partner, which played a pivotal role in capacity building for students and providing a base for in-person workshops. Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN-Ghana): Provided access to peer-reviewed resources that enriched the quality of referenced articles. Global Climate Change Network: Led a focused group edit session on heatwaves and provided expertise that enhanced the campaign’s content.

Campaign Activities

Info Session

Hosted an interactive info session at the University of Ghana’s Climate Change Center, introducing students and lecturers to Wikipedia, the campaign's goals, and the upcoming workshops. The session effectively dispelled misconceptions about Wikipedia and set the stage for active participation.

Event Launch

Launched the campaign online, outlining the campaign’s objectives, schedule, and participation guidelines. This event set clear expectations and encouraged initial engagement.

Webinar

Organized a webinar titled "Using Wikipedia as a Tool for Climate Action," featuring speakers Ruby D-Brown and Stephen Dakyi. The webinar focused on the impact of climate change, the importance of adding African content to Wikipedia, and tips for improving entries. It attracted participants from multiple countries and highlighted the role of Wikipedia in climate documentation.

Workshops

Hybrid Training Approach: Offered both in-person and online training sessions to accommodate all participants. This included: Two in-person workshops at the University of Ghana's Climate Change Center. In-person workshops in Tamale and Walewale.

Breakout Sessions

Incorporated into the second day of workshops to enhance participant interaction and learning.

Office Hours and Ongoing Support

Provided weekly office hours and continuous support through a dedicated WhatsApp group, allowing participants to ask questions and receive guidance. This platform facilitated ongoing engagement and provided immediate assistance. Offered one-on-one support for late joiners to ensure they were fully integrated and prepared to contribute effectively.

Contest

Hosted online contests to engage both experienced editors and newbies. The contests motivated participants to contribute actively, with a focus on improving existing articles and content.

Results Achieved

Participants Trained

Over 90 participants were trained in person, including students from the University of Ghana. 70+ participants engaged in online training sessions. Continuous support was provided through the community WhatsApp group, fostering ongoing participation and mentorship.

Content Contributions

Newbies made a total of 1.74k edits, improved 515 articles, and uploaded 47 images to Wikimedia Commons.

Images

Long-Term Impact

The campaign has laid the foundation for an annual collaboration with the University of Ghana's Climate Change and Sustainability Studies department, ensuring sustained engagement and growth.

Conclusion

The Wiki for Human Rights Campaign demonstrated the power of collaboration and strategic planning in driving meaningful participation and content creation. The successful implementation of diverse activities and sustained support systems significantly contributed to the campaign’s overall impact. Moving forward, these partnerships and methodologies will serve as a model for future campaigns, furthering the mission of building a more inclusive and comprehensive body of knowledge on Wikimedia platforms