2023:Program/Wild Ideas/WBHT9B-Let’s disagree together! Exploring a controversial topic

The following is a mirror of what are publicly available details of submission made at the call for proposal platform, Pretalx. Any changes here may be overwritten by a bot while syncing updates from Pretalx (WBHT9B). Changes are monitored and may be updated into Pretalx if they do not change the context of the submission (i.e. correcting typographical errors).

Title: Let’s disagree together! Exploring a controversial topic

Speakers:

Lorenzo Losa

Long term wikipedian, former chair of Wikimedia Italy, member of the board of the Wikimedia Foundation.

Pretalx link

Etherpad link

Room: Room 308

Start time: Sat, 19 Aug 2023 14:15:00 +0800

End time: Sat, 19 Aug 2023 15:15:00 +0800

Type: Roundtable / open discussion

Track: Wild Ideas

Submission state: confirmed

Duration: 60 minutes

Do not record: true

Presentation language: en

Abstract & description

Abstract

As wikimedians, we like conflicts. We have (strong) opinions, and we have (hard) feelings. This will be a space to voice them, on one topic in particular: the tension around credit and recognition between volunteers and staff.

The session will start with a debate between two opposing voices, followed by a discussion among the attendees, with the aim of allowing different voices to be heard, and understanding each other’s point of view. Agreeing is not expected!

Description

Maybe you believe that volunteers are the people who deserve credit and recognition in this movement? After all, they are the people who created the movement and who make it alive. And yet, we see over and over the staff in the most visible positions!

Or maybe you believe that the work of the staff is overlooked? After all, it is critical for sustaining the movement, and these are passionate and dedicated people, too! The fact that they are doing this for a job does not make it less worthy.

In this session, we will explore the tension on credit and recognition between volunteers and staff. We will start with a debate (loosely inspired by debate competitions) showing two opposing voices, and, after that, attendees will be asked to add their own voice; reflecting on what they just heard, or adding their points of view.

This specific topic has been chosen based on the results of a survey in advance of Wikimania, looking for a divisive topic, relevant for the participants, with strong emotions on both sides, but also focused.

While this session will be structured as a debate, it is not meant to persuade anyone of anything, and it will not seek to have a winner; nor it is a space to make decisions. This is not meant to be an endorsement of any of these views. The goal is to express the different positions, fears and hopes, allowing people to voice them and to listen to them.

Further details

Qn. How does your session relate to the event themes: Diversity, Collaboration Future?

Listening to each other and to different points of view is critical for diversity and collaboration.

Qn. What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Some experience will be needed

Qn. What is the most appropriate format for this session?

• Onsite in Singapore
• Remote online participation, livestreamed
• Remote from a satellite event
• Hybrid with some participants in Singapore and others dialing in remotely
• Pre-recorded and available on demand