CEE/Newsletter/Newsroom/HERitage Follow-Up Event in the Buffer Zone
- By: SofiaCh
The HERitage Follow-Up Event in the Buffer Zone, organized by the Wikimedia Community User Group Cyprus, was a remarkable continuation of our mission to amplify the voices of Cypriot women on Wikipedia. Despite the high temperatures affecting attendance, the event was a big success in bringing people together and sharing knowledge
The day began with a welcome from Anna Prodromou, followed by a presentation on Wikipedia principles by ZahHera. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions and a collaborative edit-a-thon led by ToprakM, creating new accounts and editing articles. The creation of a Telegram group facilitated ongoing collaboration and future project planning.
The event was a wonderful opportunity for participants to work closely together, sharing ideas and experiences. The activities throughout the day helped build a stronger community and encouraged everyone to get involved. We also took photos, which you can view on Wikimedia Commons. It created a welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable contributing and learning from each other.
The event not only promoted diversity within the Wikimedia community but also made strides in mitigating gender bias. Here are some thoughts from the participants about their experience:
Mariam: "My expectations for the event were met perfectly. I learned a lot and got to see how editing works on Wikipedia. It was an amazing event with amazing people."
Mehmet : "I have never been to any Wikimedia event so I was very eager to meet like-minded people. That expectation was met very easily! I even learned a few things too. It was also my first time meeting Toprak. One thing that made me very pleased was how everybody was invested in the event. I am thrilled to meet you all again!"
Hale: "I found the workshop exceptionally productive. It has instilled in me a newfound confidence in my ability to create content for Wikipedia. More importantly, I am now equipped to contribute towards mitigating the gender disparity on the platform, focusing on underrepresented women in Cyprus."
The HERitage Follow-Up Event was a truly enriching experience that strengthened our commitment to diversity and gender equality in the Wikimedia community. We loved connecting with everyone and we are excited to keep working together to make a positive impact.