Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2025/Submissions/Building Community Through Communication—The Role of a Wikimedian in Residence and a Journalist
| ID : 19 | Building Community Through Communication - The Role of a Wikimedian in Residence and a Journalist | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Author(s): Maria Magdalena Barascu, Elena Damian | Username(s): Elena Ancu Damian, MagdaBarascu | Type of submission: Lecture | |
| Affiliation: Wikimedians of Romania and Moldova User Group | Theme(s): Education, Community Engagement, Media Outreach, Partnerships, Strategy, Diversity, Technology | ||
| Abstract:
The synergy between the first Wikimedian in Residence of the user group Wikimedians of Romania and Moldova and a journalist was and still is a very powerful tool for growing engaged, informed communities. By working together, they drive meaningful conversations, amplify underrepresented voices, and build a knowledge-driven society that values communication, transparency, and collaboration. A Wikimedian in Residence brings expertise in open knowledge, digital engagement, and content creation, while a journalist offers storytelling skills, public outreach, and an ability to bridge complex ideas with diverse audiences. Elena Damian and Maria-Magdalena Barascu would like to present how the Wikimedians of Romania and Moldova user group has grown in the last year through communication. |
Slides: Link | ||
| Level of advancement: medium | |||
| Special requirements: | |||
| Recording (Yes/No): Yes | |||
| Photography (Yes/No): Yes | |||
| How will this session be beneficial for the communities in the region of CEE?
Elena Damian and Maria-Magdalena Barascu's teamwork provides a replicable model for other CEE communities. It shows how combining communication expertise with Wikimedia know-how can strengthen local user groups, enhance content, and attract new contributors—especially in regions where Wikimedia presence is still emerging. Journalists have access to networks and platforms that help surface underrepresented topics. When paired with a Wikimedian, they can ensure these stories are well-sourced and meet Wikipedia’s standards. This helps enrich content about CEE culture, history, minorities, and contemporary issues—often missing or underdeveloped in global knowledge bases. By spotlighting shared histories and challenges (e.g., minority representation, language diversity, or post-communist narratives), this approach fosters opportunities for cross-border projects among CEE affiliates. The synergy model can act as a bridge between communities with similar goals but different resources. | |||
Interested participants
[edit](register below and ask your questions now to the session organiser)
- Thank you so much for the lecture. I would like to become a Wikimedian in residence in the foreseeable future. --W (talk) 17:49, 14 September 2025 (UTC)