CEE/Newsletter/Newsroom/3rd Ionian Wikithon 2024 - A successful and timeless collaboration between the Department of Informatics of Ionian University and the Greek Wikipedia Community.
- By: SofiaCh
For the third consecutive year, the Network, Multimedia, and Systems Security Laboratory of the Department of Informatics at Ionian University, in collaboration with the Wikimedia Community User Group Greece, hosted Ionian Wikithon 2024. This event continues the success of previous editions in 2022 and 2023, with this year's event solidifying its status as an annual event. The event this year took place with funding from the Wikimedia CEE Hub and as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Department of Informatics.
The Ionian Wikithon is an open event designed to welcome not only the entire Ionian University community but also professionals, amateurs, and young individuals interested in being introduced to Wikipedia and collaborative projects. The primary goals of the event include encouraging the community to get in touch with technology, increasing women's involvement in tech-related activities and promoting gender equality in the field, embracing multiculturalism, sharing and receiving knowledge and trusting their creative abilities by participating in content contribution. Through this event, participants had the opportunity to enhance their skills, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and learn about technologies such as Wikimedia and Wikidata.
The event was meticulously planned and executed by a dedicated team of organizers and volunteers. Key organizers included Eleni Christopoulou, Dimitrios Ringas , and Marios Magioladitis. Adhering to the Friendly Space Policy and the Code of Conduct, the event ensured a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants.
The activities began on May 9, 2024, with the organizing team meeting to finalize the event's details. On May 11, volunteers gathered for preparation sessions to ensure everything was set for the main events. On May 14, Eleni Christopoulou and Dimitrios Ringas presented on the topic "Promotion of Cultural and Tourism Product using Wikidata" to postgraduate students in the master’s program "Digital Technologies in Hospitality and Tourism Management".
The main event day, May 15, was packed with engaging activities, starting with an open welcome session, followed by a presentation from Eleni Christopoulou on the goals of the Ionian Wikithon and the Friendly Space Policy. Experiences from previous Wikithons and Wikimedia Hackathons were shared by Eleni Christopoulou, Dimitrios Ringas, and Marios Magioladitis. Marios Magioladitis then introduced participants to the Wikimedia world, explaining what Wikipedia and Wikidata are and how they function. Dimitrios Ringas guided participants through the process of creating and setting up new accounts, and Eleni Christopoulou presented the Ionian WikiSprint - Challenge, which involved the WikiShootMe activity in Corfu. Participants spent the afternoon engaging in the challenge, capturing photos, and adding data to Wikimedia projects. The day concluded with a discussion of the results, a group photo, and a communal dinner.
The Ionian Wikithon was also showcased during the 20th-anniversary celebrations of the Department of Informatics on May 16 and 17, highlighting the event's significance within the academic community. Following the main event, volunteers met on May 29 to discuss the outcomes and plan future activities, and the organizing team convened on May 31 to review the event's success and discuss future plans.
This year’s event demonstrated the power of community and collaboration, with notable outcomes including the creation of five new articles, the editing of 121 existing ones, a total of 227 edits, and the uploading of 40 new files to Wikimedia Commons. The Ionian Wikithon 2024 has not only enriched the Wikimedia projects but also provided valuable experiences and skills to all participants, further encouraging their involvement in future events.