2025:Program/Building Inclusive Communities Through Language

Session title: Building Inclusive Communities Through Language

Session type: Pre-conference event

Track: Diversity & Inclusion

Language: en

Language is a fundamental pillar of inclusion, shaping how communities share knowledge, culture, and identity. As part of Wikimania 2025, Wikitongues is hosting a preconference titled 'Building Inclusive Communities Through Language'. This gathering will bring together Wikimedians and language enthusiasts engaged in linguistic diversity, revitalization, and open knowledge projects. Through discussions, workshops, and collaborative sessions, we will explore strategies for expanding multilingual representation across Wikimedia platforms, supporting underrepresented languages, and fostering more inclusive digital spaces. Join us as we work towards a world where every language has a voice in the open knowledge movement.

Description

Title: Building Inclusive Communities Through Language Overview As part of Wikimania 2025, Wikitongues in collaboration with the Wikimedia Language Diversity Hub is organizing a preconference titled 'Building Inclusive Communities Through Language'. This event will bring together Wikitongues Language revitalization fellows, Wikimedians, linguists, language activists, educators, and open knowledge advocates who are working to document, promote, and revitalize linguistic diversity across Wikimedia platforms and beyond.

Language is a powerful tool for community-building, knowledge-sharing, and cultural preservation. However, many languages remain underrepresented in the digital space, limiting access to knowledge for speakers of indigenous, minority, and marginalized languages. This preconference will serve as a platform to discuss challenges, share best practices, and develop collaborative strategies for fostering greater linguistic inclusion within the Wikimedia movement.

Through interactive sessions, presentations, and networking opportunities, participants will explore ways to strengthen language-focused initiatives, engage communities in multilingual content creation, and enhance Wikimedia’s role in safeguarding linguistic heritage.

Aims and Objectives 1. Promote Linguistic Diversity and Inclusion 2. Foster Collaboration Among Language Advocates 3. Empower Underrepresented Language Communities

Target Audience This preconference is targeted at: - Wikimedians involved in language projects and multilingual content creation. - Members of Wikitongues User Group, the Wikimedia Language Diversity Hub and related initiatives. - Language activists, linguists, educators, and researchers. - Open knowledge advocates and digital preservationists. - Anyone interested in language diversity and inclusion within the Wikimedia movement.

Expected Outcomes - Strengthened connections and collaboration between Wikimedia language advocates and external language organizations. - Practical strategies for improving multilingual content and language accessibility on Wikimedia platforms. - Increased awareness of language diversity initiatives within the Wikimedia community. - A roadmap for supporting underrepresented languages in the Wikimedia movement. - Enhance Wikitongues and Wikimedia Language Diversity Hub’s Roles in Language Revitalization and supporting under-represented communities.

How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?

Our preconference, 'Building Inclusive Communities Through Language', aligns with the Wikimania@20 theme: Inclusivity, Impact, and Sustainability. By focusing on language diversity, we promote inclusivity, ensuring that all communities especially those speaking underrepresented languages have access to and can contribute to Wikimedia projects. Our discussions and workshops will highlight the impact of language-focused initiatives, showing how multilingual content creation strengthens knowledge-sharing and digital representation. Additionally, we will explore sustainable strategies for language preservation, ensuring that linguistic diversity remains a core part of Wikimedia’s future. Through this preconference, we aim to build a more inclusive, far-reaching, and long-lasting open knowledge movement.

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

Everyone can participate in this session

Speakers

• Tochi Precious

Tochi Precious is an experienced language advocate, open knowledge strategist, and community leader dedicated to linguistic diversity and digital inclusion. With a background in languages and project management, she has played a key role in promoting language documentation, revitalization, and multilingual content creation within the Wikimedia movement.