Write Your Heritage - African World Heritage Cities

“Write Your Heritage: International Edit-a-thon for African World Heritage cities” is a global online edit-a-thon that aims to improve content about the African UNESCO World Heritage on different Wikimedia projects and in different languages. It was launched on the African World Heritage Day 05/05/2020.

Edit-a-thon scope - African World Heritage cities: What and Why? edit

To date, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated 96 World Heritage Sites in Africa, including 25 urban fabrics (cities and quarters) that are still populated, vibrant, and composed of hundreds of historic buildings that shape their identity and cultural value. However, content about the monuments and important buildings that are part of these 25 World Heritage urban fabrics remains extremely scarce on Wikipedia and sister projects: Out of 1000 monuments and important buildings:

70% do not have an article in English.
70% do not have an article in Arabic.
71% do not have an article in French.
94% do not have an article in Spanish.
59% do not have any article in any language.

Therefore, it is crucial to launch a global campaign to fill this huge gap.

Participation edit

To participate, please enroll to a program following your language, and choose of the available article.
A list of +1000 monuments with references and Wikidata IDs is available in each program description.

Campaign details edit

Campaign Phases edit

The preparatory phase of the edit-a-thon encompassed:

Preparing a list of +1000 monuments
Gathering references (mainly from UNESCO digital library and Aga Khan Award for Architecture digital library)
Reorganizingthe existing Wikidata items and adding missing ones .
Creating the campaign programs, website (www.africawhcities.wiki) and social media pages.

The edit-a-thon will encompass:

Creation and translation of Wikipedia articles,
Enhancing of Wikidata Items.

Campaign Founder edit

Nassima Chahboun (user:Nassima Chahboun), architect and member of Wikimedia MA User Group.