2024:Program/International wiki photo competitions and armed conflict: if and how

Session title: International wiki photo competitions and armed conflict: if and how

Session type: Roundtable

Track: Diversity & Inclusion

Language: en

This is a round-table conversation to discuss possible guidelines around if and how to include countries and regions involved in geopolitical armed conflict.

Description

In the past years, our communities have been confronted with the question how to deal with a number of geopolitical armed conflicts. This question came up in the past years in a few different ways: whether photos of heritage from certain countries should be allowed to be represented or compete in international competitions like Wiki Loves Monuments, whether and how photos of heritage in disputed areas can participate (especially when that dispute becomes an armed conflict) and there are probably more ways ahead that various armed conflicts can make an international competition and communication about the competition complex. There is no question that human and cultural destruction is undesirable.

In this round table conversation we will discuss the intersection of our international photo competitions and geopolitical armed conflict. We will discuss this topic without focusing on a specific conflict - but rather discuss principles. How would we, generally speaking, international competitions such as Wiki Loves Monuments like to be influenced by armed conflict? Are there guidelines that they could maintain?

This conversation is part of a series of conversations hosted by the international Wiki Loves Monuments team. We appreciate your constructive input to arrive at guidelines.

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

This is an important conversation to have as a community: outside of the immediate pressure of a specific conflict, how would we like to include conflict zones in our international events while maintaining a safe space for everyone involved?

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

This session is for an experienced audience

Etherpad link

https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/WM2024_Day2_Belgrade-_Room_8

Speakers

• Effeietsanders

Effeietsanders is a Dutch Wikipedian since 2005. He was one of the initiators of Wiki Loves Monuments (2010) and has helped organize the competition for many years. He was named the 2021 Wikimedia Laureate. He was a member of the Wikimania core organizing team in 2021 and is a member of the Wikimania committee.