Wikimedians of United Arab Emirates User Group/Report/2025/Education and Digital Literacy/Wikimedia AE at Emirates LitFest: Humanizing Knowledge Session
REPORT OF ACTIVITIES FOR 2025 – EDUCATION AND DIGITAL LITERACY | Report ID – WMAE-2502
Session Details
[edit]- Date: 1 February 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Location: Khor Pavilion, InterContinental Dubai Festival City
- Organizer: Wikimedia UAE
- Language: Arabic
- Part of: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
- Format: Physical
Participants
[edit]- Moderator: Duaa Khidir
- Guest Speakers: Farida Al-Gueretly, Rotana
- Attendees: 25
Session Overview
[edit]The Wikimedia UAE User Group actively participated in the 17th edition of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in 2025, hosting a thought-provoking session titled "Humanizing Knowledge". This session explored the Wikimedia Foundation’s vision of creating a world where knowledge is freely shared and accessible to all. It delved into how Wikimedia empowers individuals and communities worldwide to contribute to a more equitable and informed society, while also addressing the opportunities and challenges of the Wikimedia movement.
Duaa Khidir, Communications Officer at Wikimedia UAE, moderated the session, which featured two distinguished speakers: Farida Al-Gueretly, Senior Partnerships Manager and Community Resources Program Officer Middle East & North Africa, and Rotana, a Co-founder of Wikimedia Kuwait and an organizer of numerous educational initiatives, who also has a professional background in business administration.
Throughout the discussion, the speakers shed light on the mission of the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) and its role in supporting communities and individuals. They examined how personal and professional life can intersect with volunteerism in Wikimedia projects and highlighted the impact of Wikimedia’s educational programs in the Arab world. These initiatives play a crucial role in forming and strengthening local communities.
The session provided an insightful overview of the Wikimedia Foundation’s structure, its funding mechanisms, and the wide range of opportunities available for individuals and communities through Wikimedia’s resources. Among the key initiatives discussed was the "Wiki for Minorities" project, emphasizing the importance of diverse content representation in Wikimedia projects and the collective responsibility of contributors to ensure accuracy and inclusivity.
A dynamic exchange took place with attendees, including university students and professors from the Youth Program, as well as festival guests. A notable outcome of the session was connecting with a student interested in launching a Wikimedia movement in Bahrain. Additionally, the UAE User Group established valuable ties with a student from Al Wasl University, further strengthening Wikimedia’s regional presence.
Through this engaging discussion, the session successfully underscored Wikimedia’s role in fostering knowledge-sharing, inclusivity, and community-driven collaboration on a global scale.
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Serine Ben Brahim, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Serine Ben Brahim, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Serine Ben Brahim, CC BY-SA 4.0
