2024:Program/Empowering Through Decentralization: The Case of Wikimedia Bangladesh

Session title: Empowering Through Decentralization: The Case of Wikimedia Bangladesh

Session type: Lightning talk

Track: Contributor/Community Engagement

Language: en

Discover how Wikimedia Bangladesh has embraced decentralization to empower regional communities. Learn about our journey in fostering local leadership, promoting diverse content, and increasing participation through a decentralized approach.

Description

In this lightning talk, I'll explore how Wikimedia Bangladesh has embraced decentralization as a core strategy since its inception. Established as the 39th chapter approved by the Wikimedia Foundation on 2011, and officially registered locally in Bangladesh on 2014, our mission has always been to raise awareness about the abundance of free and open educational content and empower individuals to utilize it effectively. Central to our approach is the belief in decentralization, recognizing its pivotal role in achieving our objectives.

I'll delve into the practical implementation of decentralization within Wikimedia Bangladesh, focusing on the formation and evolution of regional communities. For instance, the pioneering establishment of the Chittagong Wikimedia Community in 2014, which received chapter approval in 2016, marked a significant milestone in our decentralized journey. Currently, we boast five vibrant Wikimedia Regional Communities actively engaging in a diverse array of activities, including meetups, editathons, photowalks, and workshops. These communities function akin to User Groups, serving as dynamic hubs for collaborative endeavors and grassroots initiatives.

Through compelling anecdotes and real-world examples, I'll illustrate how decentralization has catalyzed community empowerment and facilitated localized engagement across Bangladesh. From fostering local leadership to amplifying the reach of Wikimedia initiatives, our decentralized model has proven instrumental in driving meaningful impact and fostering a culture of participation and inclusion. Join me as I unpack the principles and practices underpinning Wikimedia Bangladesh's decentralized approach, offering valuable insights for fostering resilient and dynamic Wikimedia communities worldwide.

How does your session relate to the event theme, Collaboration of the Open?

My session directly aligns with the event theme "Collaboration of the Open" by showcasing how Wikimedia Bangladesh has leveraged decentralization to foster collaboration and engagement within the Wikimedia ecosystem. By decentralizing our operations and empowering regional communities, we have enabled a bottom-up approach to collaboration, where diverse stakeholders actively contribute to the creation and dissemination of open educational content.

Through our decentralized model, we have cultivated a culture of collaboration that transcends geographical boundaries and empowers individuals from various backgrounds to participate in Wikimedia activities. Our regional communities serve as inclusive platforms for collaboration, where volunteers come together to organize meetups, editathons, and workshops, thereby enriching the Wikimedia movement with diverse perspectives and expertise.

Furthermore, our emphasis on decentralization underscores the importance of collaborative decision-making and shared ownership, fostering a sense of collective responsibility among Wikimedia stakeholders. By highlighting the successes and challenges of our decentralized approach, my session aims to inspire attendees to explore new ways of collaborating within their own Wikimedia chapters and communities.

Overall, my session offers valuable insights into how decentralization can catalyze collaboration and empower open knowledge communities to achieve their shared goals, making it a relevant and enriching addition to Wikimania's exploration of the "Collaboration of the Open" theme.

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

Everyone can participate in this session

Speakers

• Rocky Masum

I'm Masum-al-Hasan Rocky, known as RockyMasum across all Wikimedia projects. A Wikipedian since 2013, I'm deeply involved in Bangla Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Bangla Wikivoyage. I founded the first Wiki Club in Bangladesh and co-founded the Rajshahi Wikipedia Community, a divisional user community under Wikimedia Bangladesh. Serving as a board member since 2016, I currently hold the position of General Secretary in the Executive Committee of Wikimedia Bangladesh.