Impressions of Wikimedia Georgia Delegates from the Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024

The annual conference of Wikimedia Central and Eastern Europe (Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024) was held in Istanbul, Turkey, from September 20 to 22, 2024. Five delegates from Wikimedia Georgia participated.

Notably, the 2023 conference was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, where Wikimedia Georgia hosted the event at the Tbilisi State University.

After the conference, Wikimedia Georgia’s delegates shared their impressions of the meeting, including insights on the conference program, their personal experiences, and the overall environment.

One of Wikimedia Georgia’s delegates, Mariam Kvartskhava, who is also a member of the organization’s Board of Trustees, shared that the event was held at the Hasanpaşa Gazhanesi, which was historically an interesting location. It also served as a community place for the community and young people, featuring many outdoor spaces and relaxation areas. All of this made a sense of being in a comfortable, recreational zone in the heart of the city, enhancing the desire to work in a safe and peaceful environment.

“Such an environment facilitated the connection of delegates from dozens of countries, the active sharing of experiences, the establishment of new connection, and the motivation of people with common interests.” — Mariam Kvartskhava.

Another delegate from Wikimedia Georgia, Zura Lebanidze, stated that the CEE 2024 conference in Istanbul provided him with a unique experience, contrasted not only by its content but also by its social and friendly atmosphere. For him, this conference became a platform that served not only Wikimedia-related issues but also fostered connections and mutual understanding among people.

“From the first moments, it was clear that participants were not only there to share knowledge but also driven by a strong desire for close collaboration and sharing the experience. Regardless of their background, all speakers were very open and eager to help both experienced and new participants. This meeting was a platform for work and idea exchange and an opportunity to build personal connections. Social activities, conversations, and discussions were crucial in fostering future collaborations.” — Zura Lebanidze.

Another delegate from Wikimedia Georgia, Iakob Makharadze, noted that this was the first conference he attended abroad on behalf of Georgian Wikimedia Community and that it was completely different from the dozens of other conferences he had attended in universities in Georgia or other countries.

Iakob engaged in numerous bilateral and multilateral discussions with conference participants on various topics, including the challenges of Wikimedia projects, the implementation of Wikitechnologies, the advantages and limitations of artificial intelligence, volunteerism and engagement, and collaborative partnerships.

“Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024 was the first Wikimedia conference outside of Georgia that I attended. The conference fundamentally changed my view on the Wikimedia community. I realized how much we have in common as people passionate about spreading knowledge and how much we can achieve together, especially through the collaboration.” — Iakob Makharadze.

Wikimedia Georgia is especially pleased that the organization’s young members participated in the largest Wikimedia gathering in the Central and Eastern European region, gained new knowledge and friendships at this event, and had the opportunity to share their expertise and experiences with others. Strengthening the skills and capabilities of Wikimedia Georgia’s team and Georgia’s Wikimedia community volunteers is a strategic priority for the organization, where the involvement of young people is of utmost importance.

To gain more detailed information, explore the individual reports of Wikimedia Georgia’s delegates from the Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2024:

• Iakob Makharadze’s Report;
• Mariam Kvartskhava’s Report;
• Zurab Lebanidze’s Report.