Represent the Wikimedia movement at RightsCon 2023!

The RightsCon call for proposals is open! Submit your proposal to represent the free knowledge movement at this global summit. The deadline is 12 January, 2023, at 11:59 p.m Pacific Standard Time (13 January 2022, 07:59 a.m UTC; please check your local time).

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RightsCon 2023, hosted by Access Now, is a summit that brings together people from around the world to discuss human rights in the digital age. Next year, RightsCon will be a hybrid event, open to online participation as well as in-person for the first time in three years, in San José, Costa Rica. It will take place from 5–9 June, 2023. It is a free event; everyone can apply, and everyone can register to attend. 

This annual event convenes civil society, governments, tech companies, and human rights activists, as well as members of the open source and free knowledge movements. Wikimedians who attend are equally diverse and present perspectives as editors, executive directors of affiliates, as well as Foundation staff. No matter their role, Wikimedians at the summit help other RightsCon participants and audiences understand the value of community moderation and debate, how Wikimedia projects can be a vehicle for documenting key global issues, and why it is important for even more people to become editors and contribute to the projects.

Joining RightsCon is a great opportunity for Wikimedians to hear about developments in the digital rights space, learn about advocacy tactics, and build new relationships. As one Wikimedian explained, ‘it also offers a chance to demonstrate that Wikimedia projects are not simple, dry websites, but a community where knowledge is produced and debated.’ 

How to apply to RightsCon 2023

The call for proposals is open to everyone! Registration, online attendance, and proposal submissions are all free. RightsCon’23 will focus on gender justice, labor, and the environment, particularly in respect to:

• data protection and biometrics;
• technical support and digital security;
• surveillance and facial recognition technology;
• privacy and patient care;
• media literacy and disinformation;
• and, internet access and shutdowns.

Here’s what to do if you want to submit a session . . .

1. Read RightsCon’s guide to a successful proposal. This guide explains the six steps for submitting a proposal, the types of formats that are available, and the evaluation criteria for submissions.
   
2. Make sure your proposed session aligns with the themes of RightsCon 2023.

3. Attend the RightsCon organizers’ open community call on 7 December, 2022 at 9:00–10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (check your local time), that their team will host to answer questions and provide guidance about the application process.
   
4. Submit your proposal before the deadline, 12 January, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (13 January, 2023, at 07:59 a.m UTC; check your local time).

The Global Advocacy team will do its best to support you when submitting a session. Optionally, you can:

• Send us your written proposal, so that a member of our team can help strengthen it. We are here to help! Email Ziski Putz (fputz@wikimedia.org) with your proposal by 5 January, 2023, at the latest.
  
• Let us know if RightsCon accepts your proposal. We can brainstorm together and offer recommendations on how to structure and plan your session. We will also help publicize accepted submissions through our social media channels and mailing list.

Good luck with your proposal! We look forward to seeing you at RightsCon 2023, representing the Wikimedia communities and helping to promote free and open knowledge!