Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024/Submissions/Ionian Wikithon: Strengthening the Wikimedia Community's Ties with the Academia

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Author(s): Eleni Christopoulou, Dimitrios Ringas	Username(s): Eleni.Christopoulou	Type of submission: lecture
Author(s): Eleni Christopoulou, Dimitrios Ringas	Affiliation: Ionian University, Wikimedia Community User Group Greece	Theme(s): Education, Community Engagement Partnerships
Abstract: The Ionian Wikithon, held annually in Corfu, Greece, fosters collaboration between the Wikimedia community and students and scholars, particularly those affiliated with the Department of Informatics at the Ionian University. Launched in 2022 as a satellite event of the Wikimedia Hackathon, the Ionian Wikithon addresses a key challenge: welcoming and engaging more students and volunteers to join the vibrant Wikimedia community. The lecture will explore how the Ionian Wikithon supports building bridges between the academia and the Wikimedia community and it will highlight the benefits for students, researchers and the Wikimedia community. Overall, the lecture will emphasize the importance of ongoing collaboration between the Wikimedia community and higher education institutions and promoting open access to knowledge.		Slides:
		Level of advancement: Basic
		Special requirements:

How will this session be beneficial for the communities in the region of CEE? By showcasing the Ionian Wikithon's success and offering a replicable model, this session can contribute to a more vibrant and collaborative Wikimedia ecosystem across Central and Eastern Europe. Specifically: Sharing a Model for Collaboration: The Ionian Wikithon model can be adapted and implemented in other universities across the CEE region, leading to a broader impact. Promoting Regional Knowledge Sharing: The lecture will highlight how the Ionian Wikithon encourages contributions about topics relevant to the Ionian region and inspire similar initiatives in other CEE countries. Building a Network of Collaboration: The CEE meeting provides a platform for attendees from different countries to connect. The lecture can spark discussions and potential collaborations between Wikimedians and academics from across the region. This could lead to joint editing projects, workshops, or even the establishment of new Wikithons inspired by the Ionian model. Spreading Best Practices: The lecture can share best practices for engaging students and academics in various Wikimedia projects.

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