MNadzikiewicz (WMF)

Universal Code of Conduct

I am getting irritated with European users with a master plan to assist African languages. Not one of them worked or will ever work since you guys simply do no understand African culture. Regards. Oesjaar (kontak) 21:03, 20 Januarie 2021 (UTC)

What I'm interested in, is basically what would happen if a violation takes place and all of the administrators and bureaucrats casually avoid or ignore the situation? And, who is going to check it? Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? as the old Latin proverb goes? In other words, I'm merely thinking of what the Croatian Wikipedia was accused of almost 7 years ago, and counting. Oesjaar told me the plug could easily be pulled on the whole project if no-one co-operates.

So, we see a beautiful Code of Conduct on an immaculate piece of paper, but not always much sensible or effective implementation. But that's probably a minor issue: It seems a dispute over language (or rather, the ultimate showdown between American monolinguism vs. European multilinguism) is raging at the moment. It seems Brexit is finally implemented (oops, was that an insult?). Szkoda, że nie znam polskiego. Suidpunt (kontak) 22:03, 20 Januarie 2021 (UTC)

Oesjaar, ek sit in Europa, Voyageur, Jcwf, Anrie en JCBrand ook. OK, hulle is stil, maar hulle was baie betrokke hier. Groete. --  SpesBona 22:10, 20 Januarie 2021 (UTC)

Sören, dit is nie wat ek sê nie. Elke tweede Dinsdagaand is ek in 'n videokonferensie met die WikimediaZA Stigtingraad. Dan bespreek ons onder andere enige kommunikasie wat vanaf Wikimedia Internasionaal of ander streke aan ons gestuur is. Daar word baie projekte geloods en fondse aan bestee deur die Stigting. Daar is net te veel van die projekte wat dinge in Afrika wil aanspreek, (edele gedagte) maar die kruks is dat ons as plaaslike stigting die werk moet doen, as vrywilligers... In Afrika doen die mense nie vrywilligers werk nie, hulle glo as ek werk betaal jy my - punt.

Ek as gebruiker kan nie eintlik aan een ding dink wat hulle (die spesiale projekte) gedoen het wat die werk vir my makliker maak nie. Tewens, dit word al hoe moeiliker om nuwe gebruikers op te lei... Aan die einde van die jaar is die Afr. Wikipedia se jaareindfunksie, ek kry R 5000 om 'n funksie te reël vir ons gemeenskap. Die mense se vliegtuigkaartjies kos meer as dit. Julle is onskuldig. Groete! Oesjaar (kontak) 05:52, 21 Januarie 2021 (UTC)

(ek skryf hele oggend hieraan, bietjie van die punt af) Another problem is the "reading" of the Conduct itself. If it's just a guideline for behaving well, no problem. But some people will take it to the extreme and could misuse this Conduct, to such a point that no debate is longer possible. The term "Safe spaces", for Europeans like yourself, is just completely foreign.

Some folks and peoples (that is, ethnicity) prefers group cohesion above individualism in a hostile environment. There is just one correct answer, one correct rule for all. And there is order. And unity. To challenge leadership is a luxury. Or, it is by now general knowledge that "losing face", in some cultures, isn't always seen in the East as a virtue. And, as a journalist and entrepreneur in Hong Kong (Stephen Vines) had pointed out time and time again, this very part had detrimental effects on business and foreign investment.

On the other hand, in a more liberal environment, the above is heavily frowned upon. It is seen as crab-mentality. In an "oop gesprek" (open discussion), in the spirit of N.P. van Wyk Louw, to find as many options and answers (especially contradicting one another), for the sake of the community, is seen as a virtue. No matter what the collateral damage to attain that goal; as the Dutch saying goes: "Waar (hout) gehakt wordt vallen spaanders". As the grandchild of Dutchies, I can clearly state that bluntness, 'mild exaggeration' and directness have been part of their very culture for centuries (and it's very amusing!). As is the Dutch Wikipedia today. It's not in everyone's taste, especially among the English and the French using indirect sentences to spare someone's feelings, or wrapping an awful and upsetting truth in vibrant colours. It's just not done!

So, when you have all of these cultures under one roof, the uninitiated from other cultures will be shocked, for sure.

Then, there is also the perspective.

In many English dissertations, especially those written in South Africa, a hypothesis is stated, followed by using as many "like-minded" sources. More like: "I think the sky is pink, because of points 1,2,3." No resources from other languages are consulted, no original documents are used or compared, no other perspectives are respected. A lopsided essay, at its best, granted cum laude. For us, or against us. Dualism or duality par excellence. No grey areas. No middle ground.

The Dutch, however, prefer to take the views from their opponents, only to strenghten their own arguments.

The French have a very philosophical twist to their work - the keywords "sustainability" and "brotherhood" popping up somewhere.

The Germans - well, you won't find them in the armchair. They are out there in the open field, in the dense jungles, prompting questions to the unsuspecting locals. Only after they have reached 500 different answers after two years of full acculturation and being accepted by the tribe, they finally come to a conclusion and head back to Frankfurt am Main: the answer is usually some common premordial starting point predating 5000 B.C.

And the Afrikaans one? Heaven knows. But I like the last one.Suidpunt (kontak)

@Oesjaar, Suidpunt, SpesBona, en Aliwal2012: Thank you for your engagement. You are right, I do not understand African culture. This is why your community was contacted, we want to get feedback from the users that are engaged in a community and can offer our team a different view and a different perspective. My goal is to get as much feedback, ideas, worries and arguments as possible, in order to be able to present your views to my team and people responsible for creating the UCoC and its framework. MNadzikiewicz (WMF) (kontak) 11:51, 24 Januarie 2021 (UTC)

You are most welcome to set up a video conference with me at deon@masterevent.co.za Regards. Oesjaar (kontak) 12:07, 24 Januarie 2021 (UTC)

Following our discussion, if users are not permitted to leave their mobile numbers and e-mail adresses on their user pages the changes of harressment will be lessened. regards. Oesjaar (kontak) 14:26, 1 Februarie 2021 (UTC)

Universal Code of Conduct News – Issue 2

Universal Code of Conduct News
Issue 2, July 2021Read the full newsletter

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Welcome to the second issue of Universal Code of Conduct News! This newsletter will help Wikimedians stay involved with the development of the new code and will distribute relevant news, research, and upcoming events related to the UCoC.

If you haven’t already, please remember to subscribe here if you would like to be notified about future editions of the newsletter, and also leave your username here if you’d like to be contacted to help with translations in the future.

• Enforcement Draft Guidelines Review - Initial meetings of the drafting committee have helped to connect and align key topics on enforcement, while highlighting prior research around existing processes and gaps within our movement. (continue reading)
• Targets of Harassment Research - To support the drafting committee, the Wikimedia Foundation has conducted a research project focused on experiences of harassment on Wikimedia projects. (continue reading)
• Functionaries’ Consultation - Since June, Functionaries from across the various wikis have been meeting to discuss what the future will look like in a global context with the UCoC. (continue reading)
• Roundtable Discussions - The UCoC facilitation team once again, hosted another roundtable discussion, this time for Korean-speaking community members and participants of other ESEAP projects to discuss the enforcement of the UCoC. (continue reading)
• Early Adoption of UCoC by Communities - Since its ratification by the Board in February 2021, situations whereby UCoC is being adopted and applied within the Wikimedia community have grown. (continue reading)
• New Timeline for the Interim Trust & Safety Case Review Committee - The CRC was originally expected to conclude by July 1. However, with the UCoC now expected to be in development until December, the timeline for the CRC has also changed. (continue reading)
• Wikimania - The UCoC team is planning to hold a moderated discussion featuring representatives across the movement during Wikimania 2021. It also plans to have a presence at the conference’s Community Village. (continue reading)
• Diff blogs - Check out the most recent publications about the UCoC on Wikimedia Diff blog. (continue reading)

Thanks for reading - we welcome feedback about this newsletter. Xeno (WMF) (kontak) 23:03, 15 Julie 2021 (UTC)

Universal Code of Conduct News – Issue 3

Universal Code of Conduct News
Issue 3, August 2021Read the full newsletter

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Welcome to the third issue of Universal Code of Conduct News! This newsletter will help Wikimedians stay involved with the development of the new code and will distribute relevant news, research, and upcoming events related to the UCoC.

If you haven’t already, please remember to subscribe here if you would like to be notified about future editions of the newsletter, and also leave your username here if you’d like to be contacted to help with translations in the future.

• The Enforcement Draft Guidelines - The Enforcement Draft Guidelines for the Universal Code of Conduct has just been published on meta in different languages. These guidelines include some definitions of newly introduced terms and recommendations for local enforcement structures. (continue reading)
• Enforcement Draft Guidelines Review - Before the enforcement guidelines are finalized, they must be reviewed and discussed by the community. The facilitation team has set up various discussion means throughout this review period. (continue reading)
• Conversation Hours & Roundtables - To listen to community opinions and exchange ideas regarding enforcement draft guidelines proposed by the drafting committee, the UCoC facilitation team will be hosting weekly conversation hours. (continue reading)
• Wikimania Wrap-up - The facilitation team hosted a Roundtable at Wikimania 2021, featuring some WMF trustees and staff. The session offered some insights on how the Enforcement Draft Guidelines came about, and what next steps are being imagined. (continue reading)
• Translation - Because a considerable number of Wikimedians are not English speakers, and that UCoC applies to all members, projects across the wikimedia movement, it’s of a great importance to provide adequate language support throughout this process. (continue reading)
• Diff blogs - Check out some interesting publications about the UCoC on Wikimedia Diff blog. (continue reading)
• WMF's 2021 Board of Trustees election - Please read the Candidate Presentations and vote! (continue reading)

MNadzikiewicz (WMF) (kontak) 22:22, 27 Augustus 2021 (UTC)

Universal Code of Conduct News – Issue 4

Universal Code of Conduct News
Issue 4, October 2021Read the full newsletter

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Welcome to the fourth issue of Universal Code of Conduct News! This newsletter will help Wikimedians stay involved with the development of the new code and will distribute relevant news, research, and upcoming events related to the UCoC.

If you haven’t already, please remember to subscribe here if you would like to be notified about future editions of the newsletter, and also leave your username here if you’d like to be contacted to help with translations in the future.

• Enforcement Draft Guidelines Review Wrap-up - The Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Draft Guidelines Review will come to a close on 17 October 2021, after more than two months of extensive consultations. (continue reading)
• Roundtable Discussions and Conversation Hours - Another successful roundtable session happened on September 18, 2021 to discuss the EDGR. One last conversation hour will be happening on October 15th, 2021. (continue reading)
• Movement Charter Drafting Committee Elections - The Movement Charter Drafting Committee selection process has kicked off and will be open until October 25, 2021. Contributors to Wikimedia projects can elect their favorite candidates on to the committee. (continue reading)
• New Direction for the Newsletter - As we round-up the consultation processes for the Universal Code of Conduct, the facilitation team is currently envisioning new directions for the newsletter. (continue reading)
• Diff Blogs - Check out the most recent publications about the UCoC on Wikimedia Diff. (continue reading)

MNadzikiewicz (WMF) (kontak) 20:31, 14 Oktober 2021 (UTC)

Video conference with Oesjaar

@MNadzikiewicz (WMF):, you are most welcome to setup a video conference with me. Use deon@masterevent.co.za when ever it suites you. Oesjaar (kontak) 15:51, 14 Januarie 2022 (UTC)

Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 6

Movement Strategy and Governance News
Issue 6, April 2022Read the full newsletter

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Welcome to the sixth issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! This revamped newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the Movement Charter, Universal Code of Conduct, Movement Strategy Implementation grants, Board of trustees elections and other relevant MSG topics.

This Newsletter will be distributed quarterly, while the more frequent Updates will also be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe here if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter.

• Leadership Development - A Working Group is Forming! - The application to join the Leadership Development Working Group closed on April 10th, 2022, and up to 12 community members will be selected to participate in the working group. (continue reading)
• Universal Code of Conduct Ratification Results are out! - The global decision process on the enforcement of the UCoC via SecurePoll was held from 7 to 21 March. Over 2,300 eligible voters from at least 128 different home projects submitted their opinions and comments. (continue reading)
• Movement Discussions on Hubs - The Global Conversation event on Regional and Thematic Hubs was held on Saturday, March 12, and was attended by 84 diverse Wikimedians from across the movement. (continue reading)
• Movement Strategy Grants Remain Open! - Since the start of the year, six proposals with a total value of about $80,000 USD have been approved. Do you have a movement strategy project idea? Reach out to us! (continue reading)
• The Movement Charter Drafting Committee is All Set! - The Committee of fifteen members which was elected in October 2021, has agreed on the essential values and methods for its work, and has started to create the outline of the Movement Charter draft. (continue reading)
• Introducing Movement Strategy Weekly - Contribute and Subscribe! - The MSG team have just launched the updates portal, which is connected to the various Movement Strategy pages on Meta-wiki. Subscriber to get up-to-date news about the various ongoing projects. (continue reading)
• Diff Blogs - Check out the most recent publications about the UCoC on Wikimedia Diff. (continue reading)

Thanks for reading. Xeno (WMF) 02:24, 13 April 2022 (UTC)

Movement Strategy and Governance News – Issue 7

Movement Strategy and Governance News
Issue 7, July-September 2022Read the full newsletter

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Welcome to the 7th issue of Movement Strategy and Governance News! The newsletter distributes relevant news and events about the implementation of Wikimedia's Movement Strategy recommendations, other relevant topics regarding Movement governance, as well as different projects and activities supported by the Movement Strategy and Governance (MSG) team of the Wikimedia Foundation.

The MSG Newsletter is delivered quarterly, while the more frequent Movement Strategy Weekly will be delivered weekly. Please remember to subscribe here if you would like to receive future issues of this newsletter.

• Movement sustainability: Wikimedia Foundation's annual sustainability report has been published. (continue reading)
• Improving user experience: recent improvements on the desktop interface for Wikimedia projects. (continue reading)
• Safety and inclusion: updates on the revision process of the Universal Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines. (continue reading)
• Equity in decisionmaking: reports from Hubs pilots conversations, recent progress from the Movement Charter Drafting Committee, and a new white paper for futures of participation in the Wikimedia movement. (continue reading)
• Stakeholders coordination: launch of a helpdesk for Affiliates and volunteer communities working on content partnership. (continue reading)
• Leadership development: updates on leadership projects by Wikimedia movement organizers in Brazil and Cape Verde. (continue reading)
• Internal knowledge management: launch of a new portal for technical documentation and community resources. (continue reading)
• Innovate in free knowledge: high-quality audiovisual resources for scientific experiments and a new toolkit to record oral transcripts. (continue reading)
• Evaluate, iterate, and adapt: results from the Equity Landscape project pilot (continue reading)
• Other news and updates: a new forum to discuss Movement Strategy implementation, upcoming Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees election, a new podcast to discuss Movement Strategy, and change of personnel for the Foundation's Movement Strategy and Governance team. (continue reading)

RamzyM (WMF) 01:39, 18 Julie 2022 (UTC)