Wikimedia

UAE

User Group

STRATEGY

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02

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Wikimedians of UAE User Group

From Passion to Partnership: User groups are the heartbeat of the Wikimedia movement, fueled by grassroots passion and the desire to democratize knowledge. They gather individuals around the world to collaborate on educational content, ensuring it reaches far and wide under a free and open license.

Mission

Statement

From the intimate wisdom shared in majlis to the far-reaching resonance of global knowledge, we are dedicated to amplifying multilingual voices and enriching the world's understanding. We cultivate a thriving community of contributors who bridge cultural and linguistic divides by fostering the creation of credible and invaluable content.

Our

Objectives

01

Expand the reach and understanding of Wikimedia projects among diverse cultures and demographics by filling knowledge gaps and promoting awareness in the UAE and GCC.

02

Build a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem of editors and researchers that mirrors the UAE and GCC’s unique demographic profile, ensuring diverse cultural representation across all Wikimedia projects.

03

Champion open access to reliable information in multiple languages to empower diverse communities in the UAE and GCC.

Programs

& Activities

Our

Programs

1. Education and Digital Literacy

To foster the professional development of the next generation, we collaborate with institutions and universities in the UAE and GCC to offer career development opportunities to students and graduates. These initiatives aim to inspire a passion for digital literacy and knowledge creation.

Program’s Activities

1. Training & Internship Programs

Empowering the Next Generation of Knowledge Builders:

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• Forge strategic collaborations with universities in the UAE and GCC, unlocking their diverse expertise to enrich content on Wikimedia Platforms.

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• Ignite a passion for open knowledge through engaging training sessions and interactive workshops and edit-a-thons, fostering a thriving community of youth editors.

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• Introducing Wikimedia projects like Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Commons as accessible starting points for those interested in contributing to the movement.

Our

Programs

II. Community Building & Outreach

Building a vibrant community; Through engaging campaigns, edit-a-thons, interactive competitions, and regular community meetups. We connect, collaborate, and inspire a thriving network of Wikimedians.

Program’s Activities

1. WikiAE Community Meetup

• We will host three community meetups annually (every four months) to strengthen connection and transparency within the WMUAE community.

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• These gatherings serve as a space to share updates, align on priorities, and involve members in decision-making. We invite contributors to support ongoing initiatives, co-organize activities, and actively shape upcoming programs.

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• The meetups also provide an open forum for ideas and feedback, allowing community members to propose initiatives and explore how WMUAE can support or implement them collaboratively.

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• In addition, each meetup serves as an onboarding touchpoint for new registrants, ensuring they are welcomed, introduced to the community, and guided toward meaningful participation.

Program’s Activities

2. WikiCollection Project

• Successful first round focused on an underrepresented genre on Arabic Wikipedia
• Engaged contributors passionate about documenting collections
• Phase II expands the project into a multilingual initiative
• Open to contributors across all Wikipedia language projects
• Reflects the linguistic diversity of our community
• Encourages contributors to document collections within their own cultural and regional contexts

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Program’s Activities

2. Wiki AE Club: Monthly Skills Building Series

Purpose:

• The Wikimedia Community Club is dedicated to fostering a supportive and engaging environment for individuals interested in contributing to Wikimedia projects. Our monthly sessions provide opportunities for skill development, collaboration, and advocacy within the Wikimedia community.

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Format:

• Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month online.

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Activities:

• Skill-Building Sessions
• Engaging Workshops
• Community Collaboration
• Campaign Involvement

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Target Audience:

• The club welcomes individuals of all experience levels, from newcomers to seasoned contributors. Whether you're interested in learning the basics of editing or diving deeper into specific projects, we have something to offer.

Program’s Activities

3. Edit-a-thons

One Editor, One Reference:

Building a of Knowledge, Source by Source.

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• This campaign empowers everyone passionate about sharing evidence-based information.

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• The UAE Wikimedians User Group is participating in this global effort by localizing this campaign and rename it to One Editor, One Reference.

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Program’s Activities

4. Competitions

Harir Competition:

One month. Endless knowledge. Write your article!

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• An annual competition focused on enriching Arabic content on Wikipedia. It Features a new theme and format each year.

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• Open to everyone, regardless of experience or location.

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Our

Programs

III. Communication and Outreach

Amplifying our impact: We celebrate milestones and achievements through strategic communication outreach, ensuring our dedication to enriching content that resonates with a wider audience.

Program’s Activities

Objective:

To enhance our organization's communication and outreach efforts with the community.

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Key Activities:

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• Community Analysis: Conduct in-depth analysis of community demographics, interests, and needs.
• Targeted Campaigns: Develop and implement tailored campaigns and projects that align with community priorities.
• Digital Outreach: Utilize email marketing and social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn) to reach and engage the community effectively.
• Communication Liaison: Assign a dedicated liaison to oversee community interactions, monitor feedback, and provide insights for program improvement.

Our

Programs

IV. Research Program

Driving knowledge insights: We delve into our focused content areas, leveraging data analysis and research to continuously improve the quality and accuracy of content within Wikimedia projects.

Program’s Activities

Research Team Role:

• The User Group's dedicated Research Lead supported by the communication and outreach liaison, plays a crucial role in providing data-driven insights for all User Group projects.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Database Development: Create and maintain databases for targeted initiatives, including but not limited to: WikiCollections, Edit-a-thons (1E1R), Competitions, and UAE identity projects.
• Data Analysis: Analyze project data and outcomes to identify areas for improvement and inform future initiatives.
• SWOT Analysis: Conduct SWOTs analyses with the team to assess project strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Community Engagement: Develop, manage, and track databases for all community engagement activities.

Our

Programs

V. UAE Identity Projects

Celebrating local heritage: We champion UAE identity through dedicated competitions, amplifying diverse narrative and enriching the digital representation of our nation.

Program’s Activities

1. Wiki Loves UAE

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• Annual Beauty Hunt: Every May-June, Wiki Loves Earth UAE unleashes stunning photos spree across the UAE’s natural treasures, with an average of 600+ photos added to Wikimedia Commons.

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• International Recognition: Launched in 2021, the competition boasts international recognition with a top 20 winner within its first year!

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• Nature Unveiled: We’ve mapped and listed all protected areas in the UAE, both international and local, making participation easier with clear location guides.

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Program’s Activities

2. UAE in Data

Overview:

• Documenting Religious Infrastructure on Wikidata
• Structured data initiative focused on mapping mosques and cemeteries across the UAE
• Target: 8,000 new and enriched Wikidata items
• Standardized entries including location, coordinates, administrative division, and official names
• Enables future integration with Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects
• Establishes a reusable national dataset supporting research, mapping, and heritage documentation

Program’s Activities

3. Lingua Emirates

Multilingual Pronunciation Archive of UAE Places

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• Initiative to record pronunciations of UAE cities and places in multiple languages
• Target: 1,500 audio recordings
• Curated geographical list covering cities, towns, and key locations
• Recordings produced and uploaded via Lingua Libre
• Audio files published on Wikimedia Commons
• Integrated into relevant articles across Wikipedia language editions
• Promotes linguistic diversity, accessibility, and cultural representation

Thank You!