Valentin Nasibu, a member of Wikimedia RDC, participated in an immersion program at Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire as part of the Fotamana program from May 19 to 29, 2024. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of African Wikimedians and promote cooperation between the different communities on the continent and Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire.
The Fotamana program, launched by Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire two years ago, aims to share best practices and enhance the skills of Wikimedia community leaders in Africa. After a first edition with Bassératou Kindo from Wikimedia Burkina Faso, this second edition welcomed Valentin Nasibu from Wikimedia RDC.
Activities
Valentin’s immersion coincided with the Annual Meetings of Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire, celebrating the community’s 10th anniversary. In addition to his active participation in RAN 2024, he received various training sessions on predefined topics.
Stakeholder Management: Valentin attended sessions on stakeholder management, led by Emmanuelle and Donatien. These sessions covered various aspects of relationships between Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire stakeholders: executive board, staff, project leaders, members, volunteers, and partners.
Coordinating Local and International Events: Training on coordinating national and international events, primarily led by Miss Ebi and Donatien, helped Valentin understand different approaches and strategies for organizing an event (conference, meetings, etc.) at the national and/or international level. The discussion was based on essential elements such as meticulous planning, effective coordination, and appropriate resource management. Case studies from WikiConvention Francophone 2023 and RAN 2024 illustrated the shared recommendations.
Coordination of Wikimousso Activities: Valentin also participated in workshops on coordinating Wikimousso activities, a program aimed at empowering women in the Wikimedia movement, led by Dominique and Mouna. The sessions highlighted the specific challenges faced by women in the community and offered practical solutions to encourage greater female participation.
Financial Management: Another key activity was training on the financial management of funded projects, conducted by the financial team of Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire. Valentin drew inspiration from Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire’s practices in budget planning, expense tracking, and clear and precise financial reporting.
Technical Workshops: Valentin also attended technical workshops on using Wikimedia tools and contributing to various projects like Wikidata. He himself led a session on Wikivoyage during the club forum, aiming to introduce participants to contributing to Wikivoyage, which resulted in the creation of the Daloa article on Wikivoyage.
Testimonials
Valentin Nasibu: “This immersion gave me a new perspective on community governance within Wikimedia. The interactions with members of Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire were particularly enriching and allowed me to develop new skills.”
Emmanuelle, Program Coordinator: “The Fotamana program is an excellent initiative to strengthen ties between different Wikimedia communities in Africa. Valentin’s engagement was remarkable and added value to our activities.”
Didier, Secretary General of Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire: “We were delighted to host Valentin. His immersion not only enhanced his skills but also enriched our community with his perspectives and innovative ideas.”
Learnings
Valentin’s immersion revealed several essential points for improving future editions of the Fotamana program.
The Fotamana program has demonstrated its potential in strengthening the skills of African Wikimedians and fostering cooperation between communities. Valentin Nasibu not only acquired new skills but also contributed to enriching the Wikimedia Côte d’Ivoire community with his perspectives and innovative ideas. His immersion has positive implications for the Wikimedia RDC community, where the skills and practices learned can be implemented to improve project management and governance. By generating inter-community exchanges and sharing best practices, this program encourages a dynamic of cooperation and sustainable development for all Wikimedia communities in Africa.
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