2024:Program/Let’s Connect Learning Clinic: Managing difficult conversations as Wikimedians

Session title: Let’s Connect Learning Clinic: Managing difficult conversations as Wikimedians

Session type: Workshop
Track: Community Health
Language: en

Join us for a workshop designed to help Wikimedians manage challenging conversations online and offline. We’ll explore Non-Violent Communication techniques and the importance of cultural awareness in preventing misunderstandings and conflict. Building on last year’s Wikimania Singapore, this hands-on session will use updated resources and a case study to enhance your communication skills. Don’t miss this chance to improve collaboration and foster a more inclusive Wikimedia community.

Description

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This workshop seeks to introduce Wikimedians to some tools to manage difficult conversations on and offline. Conversation that can often lead to misunderstandings, burnout or even conflict. We will be introducing participants to a few concepts taken from Non-Violent Communication and adding to this the importance of cultural awareness. It will be a hands-on workshop to practice this through a hypothetical case study.

This session was popular at last year's Wikimania Singapore, and we have added to the session resources with greater emphasis on the need to be aware of cultural diversity in a Global Movement. We hope that more Wikimedians will be able to take part this year as this remains an important issue within our movement.

This session will contribute positively to collaborative efforts within the Wikimedia movement, particularly in our day to day online activities.

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

The workshop addresses the theme of "Collaboration of the Open" by providing Wikimedians with the skills to navigate challenging conversations, reinforcing communication on all topics to be led with compassion and empathy while understanding difficult conversations may need more support than others.

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

Average knowledge about Wikimedia projects or activities

Etherpad link

https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/WM2024_Day3_Belgrade-_Room_8

Resources

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Speakers

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  • BUKOLA JAMES
I am a certified Nigerian librarian and the Regional Liaison Officer for the Sub-Saharan Africa on the Let's Connect working group. I am also the Community Coordinator for the Africa Wikipedian Alliance and serves as the Special Advisor for the Wikipedia + Education User Group. Additionally, I am an active member of the Creative Commons Open Culture Platform.
As the founder of the Kwara State University (KWASU) Wiki Fan Club in 2022, I promoted the use of Wikimedia projects among the university's staff and students. My role as a Content Campaign Organizer includes co-organizing the first WikiClimate Campus Tour in Nigeria and leading the inaugural Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom Nigeria as a certified Trainer.
My involvement extends to various Wikimedia initiatives within and outside Nigeria. Furthermore,I have provided facilitation and mentorship support to other Wikimedians, fostering collaboration and guiding new editors in their journey to become fully integrated into the Wikimedia community, ensuring they feel safe and have a sense of belonging. My work within the Wikimedia community has been focused on fostering community engagement and promoting open knowledge.
  • Jessica Stephenson
Let’s Connect enthusiast
  • Lucy Hinnie
Let's Connect Working Group Liaison for North West Europe.
Wikmedian, researcher, digital humanist. Scot living in England. My Wikipedia account can be found at EriedgenArc. My pronouns are she/her. I am interested in gender equity, open knowledge and GLAM. Outside of Wiki I podcast about pop culture, and hang out with my cats.
  • Chinmayee Mishra
An Engineer by profession, Wikimedian by passion.
Happy daughter hailing from the east coast of India, believing in creating an inclusive space where everyone has a fair chance to thrive, free from any discrimination or bias.
  • Jan-Bart de Vreede
Jan-Bart de Vreede has been involved with the Wikimedia movement since 2006. He is a CapX Advisory Committee member, Chair of Wikimedia Nederland and co-host of the quarterly “Wikimedia Europe & Friends” conference call. He served on the Wikimedia Board of Trustees in what was arguably a simpler time and has still managed to make his fair share of mistakes. At Wikimania he is excited for meeting old friends and being involved in the Let's Connect sessions :)