2022:Submissions/Making Meaning of “Knowledge Equity” and “Knowledge as a Service”: A panel discussion with Maryana Iskander, Wikimedia Foundation CEO

From Wikimania


  • Language: English
  • Status: Live

Speaker(s)[edit source]

Lydia Pintscher is the product manager of Wikidata. She has worked for Wikimedia Deutschland since the start of Wikidata. She studied computer science at the University of Karlsruhe before joining Wikimedia in 2012. She is a long-time free software contributor, most notably as a member of the board of KDE e.V.

Dr. Nkem E. Osuigwe is the Director of Human Capacity Development and Training for the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA). Nkem has served as the Head of the public library system in Anambra State Nigeria, and a Director of Nigerian Book Foundation. She is an ardent advocate for open knowledge as a pathway for inclusivity and boosting innovative solutions to development challenges that bedevil Africa. She has been the project lead for AfLIA’s projects with OER Africa, NBA South Africa and Wikimedia Foundation. She believes that libraries as core institutions that provide access to life-changing knowledge, opportunities and 21 st century skills development are the future of Africa and should be in forefront of advocacy and services for transformed communities in Africa.

Olga Paredes is an architect, researcher and wikimedian. She is part of the Wikimedistas de Bolivia coordination team, and also works to promote free knowledge. She is a volunteer in collaborative projects of the Wikimedia family and others such as OpenStreetMap. She seeks to increase greater diversity in the communities and to maintain the creative spirit.

This session will be moderated by Maryana Iskander and Guillaume Paumier.

Abstract[edit source]

Knowledge Equity and Knowledge as a Service are the two key pillars of our movement strategy, and underpin work done by Foundation, affiliates, and volunteers around the world. But sometimes, for newcomers or even existing movement partners they can feel like abstract concepts. In this conversation with volunteers across the movement, co-moderated by Wikimedia Foundation CEO Maryana Iskander and Movement Strategy contributor Guillaume Paumier, we will build on the definitions of these concepts from five years ago by sharing concrete examples of initiatives across the movement. We will also talk about how these concepts continue to evolve, and what they can mean for our priorities going forward. In addition to hearing from panelists, this session will include time for an interactive conversation with attendees around how they see these concepts in their own communities and connections we can make across our movement.

Learning Outcomes[edit source]

Together we will further refine the definitions of Knowledge Equity and Knowledge as a Service from five years ago based on how this work is currently showing up in the movement. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of Knowledge Equity and Knowledge as a Service Attendees will also leave with ideas for collaboration or initiatives to move forward that impact Knowledge Equity and Knowledge as a Service.

Biography[edit source]

Maryana Iskander is the CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation. Previously, she was the CEO of Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, a non-profit social enterprise based in South Africa. Her career has been shaped by work that melds people, impact, and technology to break down barriers and increase access to opportunity.