Behind the Screen in MENA is part of a wider series celebrating tireless Wikimedians who make free knowledge possible. It brings ‘to the screen’ stories from MENA so that we can know, honor, and learn from the people that work for a free ecosystem. The series aims to take forward the Wikimedia Foundation’s Annual Plan for 2022-23, and the movement’s strategic goal of Knowledge Equity. The annual plan talks about Advancing Knowledge Equity through a Stronger Regional Focus and this series celebrates regional impact in particular.
Behind the Screen, the MENA edition features voices from within this vibrant community, we spoke to the bold women behind the screens who shared their origin editing stories and their hopes for the future of the region. I had the pleasure of meeting them at WikiArabia which took place in Dubai, in October 2022.
They will share with us, what it is to be a Wikimedian, and their achievements, and tell us about the role of the Wikimedia Foundation in supporting their volunteer journey.
Moving from a local to a global level has significantly affected my personality, seeing that my work, which was started in Morocco, has spread to places like Afghanistan, Yemen, and Tanzania, gave me a sense of local fulfillment. This inspires me, and appreciative of Wikimedia
Nassima Chahboun, Wiki World Heritage User Group
The foundation’s role is influential. Especially in recent years. The foundation started to focus on regional levels, underrepresented communities, and low-voiced communities. This approach affects my community directly because we are still a developing and nascent community that needs direction and leadership
Mervat Salman, Wikimedians of the Levant User Group
My son told me about Wikipedia, so I created an account and started to learn gradually until it became part of my daily life. Volunteering with the Wikimedia Foundation has given me the opportunity to befriend new people from all over the world
Luma Salman, Iraqi Wikimedians User Group
Watch the full video here to see MENA– Behind The Screen!
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