2025:Program/Day Zero: Public Policy Advocacy Workshop

Session title: Day Zero: Public Policy Advocacy Workshop

Session type: Pre-conference event

Track: Legal & Advocacy

Language: en

The Global Advocacy team, along with Wikimedians from the advocacy network, plan to continue our tradition of hosting an advocacy day zero workshop before Wikimania.

This event unites provides an opportunity for Wikimedians who actively pursue policy advocacy initiatives to connect, discuss urgent issues, and sharpen specific skills. Building on the momentum from successful events like the day zero in Singpoare and Katowice, advocacy meet-up in Chile, and the WMEU General Assembly, this gathering promises to be a catalyst for further collaboration and growth. We will invite local advocacy partners to strengthen our relationships with key allies across Africa, like in Katowice.

Our ambitious goal is to harness this momentum and solidify a robust advocacy network. By doing so, we aim to lay a strong foundation for coordinated advocacy campaigns on critical issues, such as effectively communicating the Wikimedia model to public policy stakeholders.

Description

We would like to run a half-day workshop on day zero at the Wikimania venue, for a small group of Wikimedians active on public policy advocacy issues. There is also a goal to work with allied advocacy organizations from the region including Access Now (#KeepItOn Coalition), Paradigm Initiative (they host the annual Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum, known as DRIF), and ReCreate South Africa. This event is being organized by the WMF Global Advocacy Team, WMF Partnerships Team, Wikimedia Europe, and a working group from the advocacy network.

The purpose of this event is to bring together Wikimedians interested in public policy advocacy so that they can continue to work on outstanding issues, discussions, and skill development that builds on similar events like the advocacy conference in Chile and WMEU General Assembly, as well as day zero workshops we've hosted in Singapore and Katowice.

The goal is that carrying forward this momentum and collaboration will help solidify an advocacy network and lay the foundation for this group to run coordinated advocacy campaigns on important issues (such as being able to explain the Wikimedia model to public policy stakeholders). Our tentative agenda includes:

1) [Alignment on policy positions] Deep-dive on emerging copyright policies related to AI and text and data mining 2) [Skill building] Messaging workshop to address emerging policy threats that stem from Online Safety regulations and Copyright/AI 3) [Share-out] Recap of core policy campaigns such as the Global Digital Compact and TAROCH

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

Inclusivity: By bringing together Wikimedians from diverse regions and backgrounds who are engaged in public policy advocacy, our event fosters a more inclusive movement. It ensures that voices from different parts of the world contribute to shaping Wikimedia’s advocacy strategies. This is strengthened by inviting regional partners - it means even more voices can participate in our work, and that even more voices champion our movement's value.

Impact: This gathering serves as a catalyst for meaningful change by equipping advocates with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to influence public policy. Strengthening our collective advocacy efforts ensures that Wikimedia’s mission and values reach policymakers effectively.

Sustainability: By building a robust and well-coordinated advocacy network, we create a foundation for sustained engagement with policymakers. This long-term approach helps safeguard Wikimedia’s ability to thrive in an evolving regulatory landscape.

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

This session is for an experienced audience

Speakers

• fputz

Ziski Putz is the Senior Movement Advocacy Manager at the Wikimedia Foundation. In this role she helps Wikimedians shape public policy discussions so that our projects, people, and values remain supported in regulatory environments. At Wikimanias she has organized multiple day zero events, creating spaces for Wikimedians to connect on pressing policy issues. She also co-organizes main-conference sessions with movement partners that allow them to showcase their work to the rest of the movement. Her commitment to strengthening the movement’s advocacy network continues at other Wikimedia gatherings, including regional policy forums. Through her work, Ziski continues to bridge the gap between Wikimedia communities and global policy discussions, ensuring that the movement’s voice is heard where it matters most.