Wikimedia Community User Group Malaysia/Reports/Wikimania 2023/Jilorisa

Things I've learned at the conference

As a beginner or novice in Wikimedia projects, I have learned many things from the conference. My focus has been on attending several basic workshops such as Wikipedia Simple English, Wikimedia Commons, Lingualibre, and Incubator. These workshops provide guidance and knowledge for making contributions or edits in Wikipedia projects. The knowledge gained from these workshops can be applied in Wikikamus, Incubator, and Wiki Commons in the Kadazandusun language. I also had the opportunity to interact and discuss with experienced Wikimedians not only from Malaysia but also from other countries. Therefore, through interactions with them, I gained new ideas and knowledge for contributing to or editing any Wikipedia project. Through several sessions, I also realized that many languages in the world would disappear if there is no effort to promote them. Therefore, through wiki projects, all knowledge can be easily accessed while also helping to promote endangered languages. Overall, my experience at Wikimania Singapore 2023 truly provided new knowledge and experiences, as well as motivated me to contribute more to the Wiki.

Things the participant contributed or participated in or since the conference

16 August

• Wikipedia Basic Workshop

I joined this basic workshop to enhance my knowledge about the basics of Wikipedia editing and how to contribute to it. I have been editing in Wikipedia Simple English by applying the acquired knowledge. Furthermore, the knowledge gained can also be applied for contributing to the Kadazandusun language Incubator.

• Visible Wikiwomen Photobooth – creating a feminist space to document our gender, race and body plurality at Wikimania

I participated by taking photographs and filling out the provided forms to support their booth.

• Wikimedia Commons Basic Workshop

I attended this workshop to learn about what Wiki Commons is, how it works, and how I can make contributions to it. I also uploaded images to Wiki Commons based on what I learned in this workshop. Additionally, I realized that there are several factors to consider before uploading images to Wiki Commons, such as copyright, licenses, image categorization, and much more. Wiki Commons can serve as a valuable resource for learning and teaching.

• Wikimania 2023 Opening Reception and Wikimedian Of The Year

I had the opportunity to network, socialize, and celebrate the diversity and collaboration of the Wikimedia Community. The sharing from the winner of the Wikimedian of the Year award also had an impact on me and inspired me.

17 August

• Wiki Loves Living Heritage Bazaar

One of the initiatives is to showcase and develop activities for preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage. Such activities can serve as a guide in efforts to conserve and revitalize the culture of local communities that might not be prominently recognized and are gradually being forgotten.

• How to Edited Amiwiki

I am captivated by the efforts and determination of the small community, like the Wikimedians Paiwan User Group, in preserving their language threatened by extinction. They actively engage in promoting initiatives within their community. Therefore, I need to be proactive in maintaining my ethnic language, which is Kadazandusun, as its usage is diminishing, especially among the younger generation.

• Recording Voices and local languages with Lingualibre

Through this workshop, I've just learned that local vocabulary can also be recorded and preserved using Lingualibre. Therefore, I plan to use Lingualibre to document and record audio for Kadazandusun language vocabulary.

• Wikimania 2023 Global Group Photo

I got to see other Wikimedians from various country and had the opportunity to take photos with them.

18 August

• Inauguration of Kent Wiki Club

As a trainee teacher from IPG Kent with a major in the Kadazandusun language, I attended the inauguration of the Wiki Kent Club. Through the establishment and launch of this club, I hope to make greater contributions and encourage other friends to contribute to the Kadazandusun Wikipedia project. Wikipedia can also serve as a source for teaching and learning as it is easily accessible and provides a wide range of free information and knowledge.

• Wikitongues: Preserving Language Diversity and Empowering Communities through Language Documentation

Half the world's languages could disappear in a generation. The Wikitongues community has taken steps to enhance language diversity within the movement by assisting numerous individuals in preserving and documenting their languages. I intend to delve deeper into understanding Wikitongues and utilizing its platform to document the ethnic languages within the Kadazandusun language family.

• Psst, Wikimedia has a sound logo

This session is to introduce the sound logo to all Wikimedians and how to use it.

19 August

• Resources for Incubator

As a beginner in the Kadazandusun Language Incubator project, this session provided me with knowledge on how to contribute to the incubator. I also just learned that there is space for writing within the Incubator. Therefore, I can not only translate articles but also contribute to writing, such as creating stories in the Incubator to provide additional reference materials and reading resources in the Kadazandusun language through the Incubator platform.

• Sazau by Wikeint and Manuk Lembukun Dance from Borneo

I am one of the performers in this dance performance. This showcase has the ability to demonstrate the diversity within the cultural communities of Sabah, not only evident in the variety of dances, but also in the diversity of traditional attire, music, and ethnicities. I hope to continue showcasing even more of Sabah's cultural uniqueness in the future.

• Rebranding Wikimedia to Capture the New Generations: Wikimedia for Cosplay and ACG World

I learned that Wikimedia needs to change its image from being solely an academic-centered platform to reaching out to the wider public, especially the younger generation, in line with the changing times, trends, and technology.

• Wikimania 2023 Dinner and Dance

I had the opportunity to interact with other Wikimedians, exchange opinions, and also learn about each other's cultures and languages. I was very impressed with the openness of all participants, which made the event more lively and meaningful.

Plans after the conference (from what was learned or contributed in the conference)

1. I am more determined to contribute actively in Wikikamus, Incubator, and Wiki Commons, especially for the Kadazandusun language.
2. Digitizing culture and languages within the Kadazandusun language family.
3. Reaching a wider audience, particularly the younger generation, to contribute to Wikipedia based on their interests. For instance, organizing workshops at IPG or other institutions to invite students to participate in Wikipedia projects.
4. Utilizing social media to promote Wikipedia and engage the local community.
5. Encouraging the use of Wikipedia in teaching and learning.
6. Actively participate in Wiki Kent Club activities.
7. I want to learn more about Wikidata, TranslateWiki and other Wiki projects that I haven't explored yet from experienced Wikimedians.

I successfully introduced the wiki project to some teacher friends, and they seemed interested in learning more about wikis. Therefore, collaboration can be done with them in the future.

Comments/ suggestions about the conference

Overall, the Wikimania Conference 2023 provided me with a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and enjoyment. The food, environment, venue arrangements, and activities were all excellent. The best!

Special thanks to:

Thank you to Wikimedia Malaysia, Wikimedia Foundation, and the Wikimania Conference, as well as everyone involved, for the opportunity and support provided to me. I am truly grateful for everything. I hope to have opportunities like this in the future. May Wikimedia continue to advance and grow every day as a free knowledge platform for all.