Movement Charter Ambassador Program: Wikimedia Libya Community’s In-Depth Discussion on the Movement Charter

CC-BY-Salema Younus

On May 4, 2024, the Wikimedia Libya Community gathered for an insightful hybrid session in Benghazi and online to discuss the Movement Charter and its implications for the future governance of the Wikimedia Movement. The four-hour session, led by Salema (User:Salema younus), saw active participation from seven in-person attendees and four online participants, with additional online support from Nada (User:Nada.FA) and Nanour (User:NANöR).

The session marked a significant step for the emerging Wikimedia Libya Community, as it was their first encounter with the Movement Charter and their debut in the Movement Charter Ambassador Program. Prior to the in-person meeting, the community engaged in a series of preparatory activities through their WhatsApp group.

Pre-Session Engagement and Preparations

The groundwork for this session began in early April, as the community prepared through a series of structured activities and discussions facilitated via their WhatsApp group. Here’s a brief timeline of these preparatory steps:

• 1st – 9th April: Initial engagement, mindful of the three-day Eid break.
• 4th April: Invitation extended to the community for the upcoming global session. Six enthusiastic members (Abdelqayoum, Moataz, Ahmed, Faraj, Salema, Sundus, and Fajria) confirmed their participation.
• 5th April: Community members shared their expectations and queries about the session. Key questions included understanding the Movement Charter, the voting rights of emerging communities, and how the Charter supports newly established groups.

Strategy and Charter Explained in Daily Snippets

From April 5th, the “Strategy in a Minute” initiative provided daily one-minute voice messages explaining different aspects of the Wikimedia strategy, setting the stage for deeper engagement and understanding of the charter goals and objectives. Topics covered included:

• What is the Wikimedia Movement?
• Is the Wikimedia Movement dynamic and reinvigorated?
• What is the Movement Strategy?
• Components of the Movement Strategy?
• How does the strategy relate to the Libyan community?

Subsequently, from April 13th to 29th, the focus shifted to the “Charter in a Minute” series, breaking down the Movement Charter into digestible segments. These discussions emphasized chapters such as the introduction, ratification, amendments, and glossary of terms. This pre-session dialogue helped community members acclimate to the Charter’s structure and content, preparing them for a productive in-person session.

Wikimedia Libya community also participated in the global community consultation on 26 April.

CC-BY-Salema Younus

In-Person Session Highlights

The in-person session kicked off with a question aimed at understanding the future roles that community members envisioned for themselves, fostering a sense of belonging and aligning these roles with the Charter. This was followed by a detailed introduction to the Charter’s chapters and an engaging discussion on its relevance to emerging communities like Wikimedia Libya.

Key opinions on the Volunteer Chapter included:

• Concerns about the absence of volunteer rights alongside their responsibilities.
• Concerns were raised about the Charter placing the onus on volunteers to adhere to project policies without clarifying who sets these policies.
• Suggestions for adding transparency and neutrality provisions.
• It was noted that the Charter categorized communities and partner organizations under volunteers, which some members found problematic.

The session also delved into the position of emerging communities, which are not yet fully recognized as Wikimedia Movement Bodies according to the Charter. This discussion highlighted the need for better support and clear guidelines for such communities.

Moving Forward

This session marked the first time Wikimedia Libya engaged with the Movement Charter and participated in the Movement Charter Ambassador Program.They are eager to participate in the ratification process of the Movement Charter, viewing it as an essential step toward shaping their future and enhancing their contributions to the global Wikimedia ecosystem.

As we look ahead, we encourage everyone in the community to actively engage and share their perspectives. Together, we can ensure that the Movement Charter reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of all Wikimedia communities, especially those that are still emerging. Let’s continue this journey of growth and collaboration with enthusiasm and commitment!