Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimania-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Samat]

Dear Katherine, dear ESEAP Wikimania Organizing Team,

Thank you for your announcement.

This decision was expected and it is understandable.
The most important is for everybody now, to stay healthy.

See you next time and take care.

Kind regards,
Samat


On Thu, 19 Mar 2020 at 03:33, Roman Bustria Jr.  wrote:

> Thank you Katherine for this update.
>
> We at ESEAP confirm that Wikimania will not happen this year. We
> appreciate your support and understanding on this recent development.
>
> We will continue to collaborate with the Wikimania Steering Committee and
> the Wikimedia Foundation with the remaining tasks to be done and plan
> accordingly for next year.
>
>
>
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Butch Bustria
> Head of Communications
> ESEAP Wikimania Organizing Team
>
> On Thu, Mar 19, 2020, 4:57 AM Katherine Maher 
> wrote:
>
>> Dear everyone,
>>
>> As a part of the Wikimedia movement’s ongoing response to the COVID-19
>> pandemic, we are postponing Wikimania Bangkok 2020. This decision was made
>> with the full support of the ESEAP host team and Wikimania Committee.
>> Together, we will hold Wikimania in Bangkok in 2021.
>>
>> We are filled with sadness to not see you all in Bangkok in August.
>> However, we are confident that this is the best possible decision for the
>> well-being of our global community and public health overall. This decision
>> was proposed by the ESEAP organizers in line with their countries’ response
>> to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line with recommendations from the World
>> Health Organization (WHO).
>>
>> You are certain to have many questions. We hope to answer some of your
>> questions below. We will continue to answer questions on the Wikimania
>> Meta-Wiki page and on the Wikimania Telegram group chat (more information
>> below).
>>
>>
>> *== What does “postponing” Wikimania mean? ==*
>> We will not host an in-person Wikimania in 2020. We are rescheduling
>> Wikimania Bangkok until 2021. The ESEAP organizing team[2] will continue
>> their work as a regional collaborative between affiliates in the East,
>> South East, and Pacific regions to host us in Thailand next year.
>>
>> The hotel and venue[3] in Bangkok will remain the same. We have not yet
>> finalized dates for 2021. We will work with the ESEAP team and Wikimania
>> Steering Committee to confirm new dates. We will let you know these dates
>> by the end of 2020.
>>
>> The good news is that Wikimania 2021 will coincide with Wikipedia’s 20th
>> birthday year. We expect this to be a truly memorable Wikimania -- an
>> opportunity to celebrate reconnection after a year apart, along with the
>> remarkable accomplishment of two decades of free knowledge.
>>
>> *== Will there be an alternative to the in-person event? ==*
>>
>> There are no plans by the 2020 Wikimania hosts to organize a virtual,
>> online event. Hosting Wikimania is a lot of work. The ESEAP team is
>> committed to hosting the best possible in-person event in Bangkok in 2021.
>> Therefore, they will not have the capacity to organize a virtual Wikimania
>> this year.
>>
>> However, the Wikimania committee, the ESEAP host team, and the Wikimedia
>> Foundation all recognize that other members of the community may be
>> interested in organizing a remote, global Wikimedia event for 2020.
>> Although the Wikimedia Foundation does not have the capacity at this time
>> to lead the organizing of a virtual online conference, we recognize others
>> may have the desire to do so.
>>
>> We welcome discussion about online events. Interested parties are welcome
>> to contact the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimania Foundation staff
>> for advice on the Wikimania Meta-Wiki page[1].
>>
>> We are also considering proposals for improving the capacity of
>> communities to organize local virtual convenings, and for how we can
>> support communities in organizing impromptu local and regional Wikimedia
>> events once the pandemic passes. As the situation has been changing rapidly
>> we are still working on specifics and will share more information in the
>> coming weeks.
>>
>> *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
>>
>> We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
>> applications.[4] We will share more information in the coming weeks.
>>
>> *== How was this decision made? ==*
>>
>> This recommendation was made by the ESEAP organizers based on what we
>> know about the current COVID-19 global health pandemic and current WHO
>> guidelines. The decision was made together with the ESEAP team in
>> consultation with the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimedia
>> Foundation. Together we are fully and unanimously aligned around this
>> decision.
>>
>> Although we are genuinely sad to not have the opportunity to see you all
>> this year, we also are fully supportive of this decision in all of our best
>> interests. It allows our ESEAP community hosts to focus on the immediate
>> needs of their families, local Wikimedia communities, 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimania-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Thomas Shafee]

Regarding remote participation Wikimania 2020:

The *Research Data Alliance* has moved it's current conference that was
meant to be over the next five days to in stead be online across 18 march -
10 Apr (several sessions of high interest to wikimedians):

   - *https://www.rd-alliance.org/rda-virtual-plenary-programme
    *

What was previously $700 is now free and was re-organised with only 1
week's notice. Possible learning items for a remote Wikimania? It's a mixed
working-group and plenary session based format that is highly relevant to
wikimedia movement.

All the best,
Thomas

On Thu, 19 Mar 2020 at 13:33, Roman Bustria Jr.  wrote:

> Thank you Katherine for this update.
>
> We at ESEAP confirm that Wikimania will not happen this year. We appreciate
> your support and understanding on this recent development.
>
> We will continue to collaborate with the Wikimania Steering Committee and
> the Wikimedia Foundation with the remaining tasks to be done and plan
> accordingly for next year.
>
>
>
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Butch Bustria
> Head of Communications
> ESEAP Wikimania Organizing Team
>
> On Thu, Mar 19, 2020, 4:57 AM Katherine Maher 
> wrote:
>
> > Dear everyone,
> >
> > As a part of the Wikimedia movement’s ongoing response to the COVID-19
> > pandemic, we are postponing Wikimania Bangkok 2020. This decision was
> made
> > with the full support of the ESEAP host team and Wikimania Committee.
> > Together, we will hold Wikimania in Bangkok in 2021.
> >
> > We are filled with sadness to not see you all in Bangkok in August.
> > However, we are confident that this is the best possible decision for the
> > well-being of our global community and public health overall. This
> decision
> > was proposed by the ESEAP organizers in line with their countries’
> response
> > to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line with recommendations from the
> World
> > Health Organization (WHO).
> >
> > You are certain to have many questions. We hope to answer some of your
> > questions below. We will continue to answer questions on the Wikimania
> > Meta-Wiki page and on the Wikimania Telegram group chat (more information
> > below).
> >
> >
> > *== What does “postponing” Wikimania mean? ==*
> > We will not host an in-person Wikimania in 2020. We are rescheduling
> > Wikimania Bangkok until 2021. The ESEAP organizing team[2] will continue
> > their work as a regional collaborative between affiliates in the East,
> > South East, and Pacific regions to host us in Thailand next year.
> >
> > The hotel and venue[3] in Bangkok will remain the same. We have not yet
> > finalized dates for 2021. We will work with the ESEAP team and Wikimania
> > Steering Committee to confirm new dates. We will let you know these dates
> > by the end of 2020.
> >
> > The good news is that Wikimania 2021 will coincide with Wikipedia’s 20th
> > birthday year. We expect this to be a truly memorable Wikimania -- an
> > opportunity to celebrate reconnection after a year apart, along with the
> > remarkable accomplishment of two decades of free knowledge.
> >
> > *== Will there be an alternative to the in-person event? ==*
> >
> > There are no plans by the 2020 Wikimania hosts to organize a virtual,
> > online event. Hosting Wikimania is a lot of work. The ESEAP team is
> > committed to hosting the best possible in-person event in Bangkok in
> 2021.
> > Therefore, they will not have the capacity to organize a virtual
> Wikimania
> > this year.
> >
> > However, the Wikimania committee, the ESEAP host team, and the Wikimedia
> > Foundation all recognize that other members of the community may be
> > interested in organizing a remote, global Wikimedia event for 2020.
> > Although the Wikimedia Foundation does not have the capacity at this time
> > to lead the organizing of a virtual online conference, we recognize
> others
> > may have the desire to do so.
> >
> > We welcome discussion about online events. Interested parties are welcome
> > to contact the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimania Foundation
> staff
> > for advice on the Wikimania Meta-Wiki page[1].
> >
> > We are also considering proposals for improving the capacity of
> > communities to organize local virtual convenings, and for how we can
> > support communities in organizing impromptu local and regional Wikimedia
> > events once the pandemic passes. As the situation has been changing
> rapidly
> > we are still working on specifics and will share more information in the
> > coming weeks.
> >
> > *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
> >
> > We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
> > applications.[4] We will share more information in the coming weeks.
> >
> > *== How was this decision made? ==*
> >
> > This recommendation was made by the ESEAP organizers based on what we
> know
> > about the current COVID-19 global health pandemic and current WHO
> > guidelines. The decision was 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimania-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Roman Bustria Jr.]

Thank you Katherine for this update.

We at ESEAP confirm that Wikimania will not happen this year. We appreciate
your support and understanding on this recent development.

We will continue to collaborate with the Wikimania Steering Committee and
the Wikimedia Foundation with the remaining tasks to be done and plan
accordingly for next year.




Kind regards,

Butch Bustria
Head of Communications
ESEAP Wikimania Organizing Team

On Thu, Mar 19, 2020, 4:57 AM Katherine Maher  wrote:

> Dear everyone,
>
> As a part of the Wikimedia movement’s ongoing response to the COVID-19
> pandemic, we are postponing Wikimania Bangkok 2020. This decision was made
> with the full support of the ESEAP host team and Wikimania Committee.
> Together, we will hold Wikimania in Bangkok in 2021.
>
> We are filled with sadness to not see you all in Bangkok in August.
> However, we are confident that this is the best possible decision for the
> well-being of our global community and public health overall. This decision
> was proposed by the ESEAP organizers in line with their countries’ response
> to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line with recommendations from the World
> Health Organization (WHO).
>
> You are certain to have many questions. We hope to answer some of your
> questions below. We will continue to answer questions on the Wikimania
> Meta-Wiki page and on the Wikimania Telegram group chat (more information
> below).
>
>
> *== What does “postponing” Wikimania mean? ==*
> We will not host an in-person Wikimania in 2020. We are rescheduling
> Wikimania Bangkok until 2021. The ESEAP organizing team[2] will continue
> their work as a regional collaborative between affiliates in the East,
> South East, and Pacific regions to host us in Thailand next year.
>
> The hotel and venue[3] in Bangkok will remain the same. We have not yet
> finalized dates for 2021. We will work with the ESEAP team and Wikimania
> Steering Committee to confirm new dates. We will let you know these dates
> by the end of 2020.
>
> The good news is that Wikimania 2021 will coincide with Wikipedia’s 20th
> birthday year. We expect this to be a truly memorable Wikimania -- an
> opportunity to celebrate reconnection after a year apart, along with the
> remarkable accomplishment of two decades of free knowledge.
>
> *== Will there be an alternative to the in-person event? ==*
>
> There are no plans by the 2020 Wikimania hosts to organize a virtual,
> online event. Hosting Wikimania is a lot of work. The ESEAP team is
> committed to hosting the best possible in-person event in Bangkok in 2021.
> Therefore, they will not have the capacity to organize a virtual Wikimania
> this year.
>
> However, the Wikimania committee, the ESEAP host team, and the Wikimedia
> Foundation all recognize that other members of the community may be
> interested in organizing a remote, global Wikimedia event for 2020.
> Although the Wikimedia Foundation does not have the capacity at this time
> to lead the organizing of a virtual online conference, we recognize others
> may have the desire to do so.
>
> We welcome discussion about online events. Interested parties are welcome
> to contact the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimania Foundation staff
> for advice on the Wikimania Meta-Wiki page[1].
>
> We are also considering proposals for improving the capacity of
> communities to organize local virtual convenings, and for how we can
> support communities in organizing impromptu local and regional Wikimedia
> events once the pandemic passes. As the situation has been changing rapidly
> we are still working on specifics and will share more information in the
> coming weeks.
>
> *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
>
> We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
> applications.[4] We will share more information in the coming weeks.
>
> *== How was this decision made? ==*
>
> This recommendation was made by the ESEAP organizers based on what we know
> about the current COVID-19 global health pandemic and current WHO
> guidelines. The decision was made together with the ESEAP team in
> consultation with the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimedia
> Foundation. Together we are fully and unanimously aligned around this
> decision.
>
> Although we are genuinely sad to not have the opportunity to see you all
> this year, we also are fully supportive of this decision in all of our best
> interests. It allows our ESEAP community hosts to focus on the immediate
> needs of their families, local Wikimedia communities, and local communities
> as a whole. It is in line with global public health guidance and aligns the
> Wikimedia movement as a responsible actor in support of our common public
> good.
>
> We want to thank all volunteers and affiliates that have been involved
> with planning Wikimania. We’re especially appreciative of the ESEAP for
> their leadership, flexibility, and compassion, as we have worked together
> to make some 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Mónica Pinedo Bajo]

Hi,

I'm sorry to read this but it's completely understandable and surely the
best decision.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to give us that big amount of information!


Best,
Mónica

Katherine Maher  schrieb am Mi., 18. März 2020, 21:58:

> Dear everyone,
>
> As a part of the Wikimedia movement’s ongoing response to the COVID-19
> pandemic, we are postponing Wikimania Bangkok 2020. This decision was made
> with the full support of the ESEAP host team and Wikimania Committee.
> Together, we will hold Wikimania in Bangkok in 2021.
>
> We are filled with sadness to not see you all in Bangkok in August.
> However, we are confident that this is the best possible decision for the
> well-being of our global community and public health overall. This decision
> was proposed by the ESEAP organizers in line with their countries’ response
> to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line with recommendations from the World
> Health Organization (WHO).
>
> You are certain to have many questions. We hope to answer some of your
> questions below. We will continue to answer questions on the Wikimania
> Meta-Wiki page and on the Wikimania Telegram group chat (more information
> below).
>
>
> *== What does “postponing” Wikimania mean? ==*
> We will not host an in-person Wikimania in 2020. We are rescheduling
> Wikimania Bangkok until 2021. The ESEAP organizing team[2] will continue
> their work as a regional collaborative between affiliates in the East,
> South East, and Pacific regions to host us in Thailand next year.
>
> The hotel and venue[3] in Bangkok will remain the same. We have not yet
> finalized dates for 2021. We will work with the ESEAP team and Wikimania
> Steering Committee to confirm new dates. We will let you know these dates
> by the end of 2020.
>
> The good news is that Wikimania 2021 will coincide with Wikipedia’s 20th
> birthday year. We expect this to be a truly memorable Wikimania -- an
> opportunity to celebrate reconnection after a year apart, along with the
> remarkable accomplishment of two decades of free knowledge.
>
> *== Will there be an alternative to the in-person event? ==*
>
> There are no plans by the 2020 Wikimania hosts to organize a virtual,
> online event. Hosting Wikimania is a lot of work. The ESEAP team is
> committed to hosting the best possible in-person event in Bangkok in 2021.
> Therefore, they will not have the capacity to organize a virtual Wikimania
> this year.
>
> However, the Wikimania committee, the ESEAP host team, and the Wikimedia
> Foundation all recognize that other members of the community may be
> interested in organizing a remote, global Wikimedia event for 2020.
> Although the Wikimedia Foundation does not have the capacity at this time
> to lead the organizing of a virtual online conference, we recognize others
> may have the desire to do so.
>
> We welcome discussion about online events. Interested parties are welcome
> to contact the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimania Foundation staff
> for advice on the Wikimania Meta-Wiki page[1].
>
> We are also considering proposals for improving the capacity of communities
> to organize local virtual convenings, and for how we can support
> communities in organizing impromptu local and regional Wikimedia events
> once the pandemic passes. As the situation has been changing rapidly we are
> still working on specifics and will share more information in the coming
> weeks.
>
> *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
>
> We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
> applications.[4] We will share more information in the coming weeks.
>
> *== How was this decision made? ==*
>
> This recommendation was made by the ESEAP organizers based on what we know
> about the current COVID-19 global health pandemic and current WHO
> guidelines. The decision was made together with the ESEAP team in
> consultation with the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimedia
> Foundation. Together we are fully and unanimously aligned around this
> decision.
>
> Although we are genuinely sad to not have the opportunity to see you all
> this year, we also are fully supportive of this decision in all of our best
> interests. It allows our ESEAP community hosts to focus on the immediate
> needs of their families, local Wikimedia communities, and local communities
> as a whole. It is in line with global public health guidance and aligns the
> Wikimedia movement as a responsible actor in support of our common public
> good.
>
> We want to thank all volunteers and affiliates that have been involved with
> planning Wikimania. We’re especially appreciative of the ESEAP for their
> leadership, flexibility, and compassion, as we have worked together to make
> some difficult decisions on this important event.
>
> *== Where can I learn more about Wikimania 2021? ==*
>
> There are a number of channels where Wikimania is regularly discussed and
> where plans for 2021 will be posted as they develop. We welcome all
> 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Alphos OGame]

Hello all,

As sad at it is, it's probably for the best - I'd hate for people to get sick 
in a time of joy and celebration, best be on the safe side.
And it's probably better to take the decision sooner rather than later. It lets 
people know in advance, cancel plans far ahead, without rush.
I wasn't planning on coming - long trips aren't really compatible with my 
health - but I really feel sorry for all those who were, and especially sorry 
for all those who carefully and thoughtfully planned the whole event.

Looking forward to seeing Wikimania 2021 in Bangkok being a success !

In the mean time, don't despair, and all of you take care of yourselves and 
your loved ones.

Roger / Alphos
Board member
Wikimédia France


> Le 18 mars 2020 à 21:57, Katherine Maher  a écrit :
> 
> Dear everyone,
> 
> As a part of the Wikimedia movement’s ongoing response to the COVID-19
> pandemic, we are postponing Wikimania Bangkok 2020. This decision was made
> with the full support of the ESEAP host team and Wikimania Committee.
> Together, we will hold Wikimania in Bangkok in 2021.
> 
> We are filled with sadness to not see you all in Bangkok in August.
> However, we are confident that this is the best possible decision for the
> well-being of our global community and public health overall. This decision
> was proposed by the ESEAP organizers in line with their countries’ response
> to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line with recommendations from the World
> Health Organization (WHO).
> 
> You are certain to have many questions. We hope to answer some of your
> questions below. We will continue to answer questions on the Wikimania
> Meta-Wiki page and on the Wikimania Telegram group chat (more information
> below).
> 
> 
> *== What does “postponing” Wikimania mean? ==*
> We will not host an in-person Wikimania in 2020. We are rescheduling
> Wikimania Bangkok until 2021. The ESEAP organizing team[2] will continue
> their work as a regional collaborative between affiliates in the East,
> South East, and Pacific regions to host us in Thailand next year.
> 
> The hotel and venue[3] in Bangkok will remain the same. We have not yet
> finalized dates for 2021. We will work with the ESEAP team and Wikimania
> Steering Committee to confirm new dates. We will let you know these dates
> by the end of 2020.
> 
> The good news is that Wikimania 2021 will coincide with Wikipedia’s 20th
> birthday year. We expect this to be a truly memorable Wikimania -- an
> opportunity to celebrate reconnection after a year apart, along with the
> remarkable accomplishment of two decades of free knowledge.
> 
> *== Will there be an alternative to the in-person event? ==*
> 
> There are no plans by the 2020 Wikimania hosts to organize a virtual,
> online event. Hosting Wikimania is a lot of work. The ESEAP team is
> committed to hosting the best possible in-person event in Bangkok in 2021.
> Therefore, they will not have the capacity to organize a virtual Wikimania
> this year.
> 
> However, the Wikimania committee, the ESEAP host team, and the Wikimedia
> Foundation all recognize that other members of the community may be
> interested in organizing a remote, global Wikimedia event for 2020.
> Although the Wikimedia Foundation does not have the capacity at this time
> to lead the organizing of a virtual online conference, we recognize others
> may have the desire to do so.
> 
> We welcome discussion about online events. Interested parties are welcome
> to contact the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimania Foundation staff
> for advice on the Wikimania Meta-Wiki page[1].
> 
> We are also considering proposals for improving the capacity of communities
> to organize local virtual convenings, and for how we can support
> communities in organizing impromptu local and regional Wikimedia events
> once the pandemic passes. As the situation has been changing rapidly we are
> still working on specifics and will share more information in the coming
> weeks.
> 
> *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
> 
> We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
> applications.[4] We will share more information in the coming weeks.
> 
> *== How was this decision made? ==*
> 
> This recommendation was made by the ESEAP organizers based on what we know
> about the current COVID-19 global health pandemic and current WHO
> guidelines. The decision was made together with the ESEAP team in
> consultation with the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimedia
> Foundation. Together we are fully and unanimously aligned around this
> decision.
> 
> Although we are genuinely sad to not have the opportunity to see you all
> this year, we also are fully supportive of this decision in all of our best
> interests. It allows our ESEAP community hosts to focus on the immediate
> needs of their families, local Wikimedia communities, and local communities
> as a whole. It is in line with global public health guidance and aligns the
> Wikimedia 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[ktsquare]

Hello Wikipedians:

For scholarships and registrations, I also anticipate that who was
unavailable or opted out themselves from application example, shall
register again or apply to scholarship comes 2021?

Wikipedia user ktsquare
___
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Todd Allen]

Unfortunate, but certainly the right call.

Todd

On Wed, Mar 18, 2020, 2:57 PM Katherine Maher  wrote:

> Dear everyone,
>
> As a part of the Wikimedia movement’s ongoing response to the COVID-19
> pandemic, we are postponing Wikimania Bangkok 2020. This decision was made
> with the full support of the ESEAP host team and Wikimania Committee.
> Together, we will hold Wikimania in Bangkok in 2021.
>
> We are filled with sadness to not see you all in Bangkok in August.
> However, we are confident that this is the best possible decision for the
> well-being of our global community and public health overall. This decision
> was proposed by the ESEAP organizers in line with their countries’ response
> to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line with recommendations from the World
> Health Organization (WHO).
>
> You are certain to have many questions. We hope to answer some of your
> questions below. We will continue to answer questions on the Wikimania
> Meta-Wiki page and on the Wikimania Telegram group chat (more information
> below).
>
>
> *== What does “postponing” Wikimania mean? ==*
> We will not host an in-person Wikimania in 2020. We are rescheduling
> Wikimania Bangkok until 2021. The ESEAP organizing team[2] will continue
> their work as a regional collaborative between affiliates in the East,
> South East, and Pacific regions to host us in Thailand next year.
>
> The hotel and venue[3] in Bangkok will remain the same. We have not yet
> finalized dates for 2021. We will work with the ESEAP team and Wikimania
> Steering Committee to confirm new dates. We will let you know these dates
> by the end of 2020.
>
> The good news is that Wikimania 2021 will coincide with Wikipedia’s 20th
> birthday year. We expect this to be a truly memorable Wikimania -- an
> opportunity to celebrate reconnection after a year apart, along with the
> remarkable accomplishment of two decades of free knowledge.
>
> *== Will there be an alternative to the in-person event? ==*
>
> There are no plans by the 2020 Wikimania hosts to organize a virtual,
> online event. Hosting Wikimania is a lot of work. The ESEAP team is
> committed to hosting the best possible in-person event in Bangkok in 2021.
> Therefore, they will not have the capacity to organize a virtual Wikimania
> this year.
>
> However, the Wikimania committee, the ESEAP host team, and the Wikimedia
> Foundation all recognize that other members of the community may be
> interested in organizing a remote, global Wikimedia event for 2020.
> Although the Wikimedia Foundation does not have the capacity at this time
> to lead the organizing of a virtual online conference, we recognize others
> may have the desire to do so.
>
> We welcome discussion about online events. Interested parties are welcome
> to contact the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimania Foundation staff
> for advice on the Wikimania Meta-Wiki page[1].
>
> We are also considering proposals for improving the capacity of communities
> to organize local virtual convenings, and for how we can support
> communities in organizing impromptu local and regional Wikimedia events
> once the pandemic passes. As the situation has been changing rapidly we are
> still working on specifics and will share more information in the coming
> weeks.
>
> *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
>
> We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
> applications.[4] We will share more information in the coming weeks.
>
> *== How was this decision made? ==*
>
> This recommendation was made by the ESEAP organizers based on what we know
> about the current COVID-19 global health pandemic and current WHO
> guidelines. The decision was made together with the ESEAP team in
> consultation with the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimedia
> Foundation. Together we are fully and unanimously aligned around this
> decision.
>
> Although we are genuinely sad to not have the opportunity to see you all
> this year, we also are fully supportive of this decision in all of our best
> interests. It allows our ESEAP community hosts to focus on the immediate
> needs of their families, local Wikimedia communities, and local communities
> as a whole. It is in line with global public health guidance and aligns the
> Wikimedia movement as a responsible actor in support of our common public
> good.
>
> We want to thank all volunteers and affiliates that have been involved with
> planning Wikimania. We’re especially appreciative of the ESEAP for their
> leadership, flexibility, and compassion, as we have worked together to make
> some difficult decisions on this important event.
>
> *== Where can I learn more about Wikimania 2021? ==*
>
> There are a number of channels where Wikimania is regularly discussed and
> where plans for 2021 will be posted as they develop. We welcome all
> interested participants to bring together our collective wisdom and
> creativity to discuss what happens next with Wikimania. You can 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Katherine Maher]

Hi Andy,

Yes, we anticipate that to be the case. As per my email, more information
about how we will handle scholarships for 2020 and 2021 will be available
in coming weeks.


On Wed, Mar 18, 2020 at 2:14 PM Andy Mabbett 
wrote:

> On Wed, 18 Mar 2020 at 20:57, Katherine Maher 
> wrote:
>
> > *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
> >
> > We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
> > applications. We will share more information in the coming weeks.
>
> The deadline for scholarship applications was 17 March (for clarity
> the day before this announcement to which I'm replying).
>
> It was clearly likely before then that this sensible decision would be
> taken.
>
> I trust that people who did not apply for that reason, or who knew
> they would be unavailable this year for other reasons, will be able to
> apply for scholarships for next year's event?
>
>
> --
> Andy Mabbett
> @pigsonthewing
> http://pigsonthewing.org.uk
>
> ___
> Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at:
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and
> https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
> New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
> Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
> 



-- 

Katherine Maher (she/her)

Executive Director

Wikimedia Foundation 
___
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Andy Mabbett]

On Wed, 18 Mar 2020 at 20:57, Katherine Maher  wrote:

> *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
>
> We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
> applications. We will share more information in the coming weeks.

The deadline for scholarship applications was 17 March (for clarity
the day before this announcement to which I'm replying).

It was clearly likely before then that this sensible decision would be taken.

I trust that people who did not apply for that reason, or who knew
they would be unavailable this year for other reasons, will be able to
apply for scholarships for next year's event?


--
Andy Mabbett
@pigsonthewing
http://pigsonthewing.org.uk

___
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, 

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Tito Dutta]

Hello,
Thanks for the message and the information. This is a difficult situation,
thanks for the care WMF has shown. Regards.

On Thu, Mar 19, 2020, 2:27 AM Katherine Maher  wrote:

> Dear everyone,
>
> As a part of the Wikimedia movement’s ongoing response to the COVID-19
> pandemic, we are postponing Wikimania Bangkok 2020. This decision was made
> with the full support of the ESEAP host team and Wikimania Committee.
> Together, we will hold Wikimania in Bangkok in 2021.
>
> We are filled with sadness to not see you all in Bangkok in August.
> However, we are confident that this is the best possible decision for the
> well-being of our global community and public health overall. This decision
> was proposed by the ESEAP organizers in line with their countries’ response
> to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line with recommendations from the World
> Health Organization (WHO).
>
> You are certain to have many questions. We hope to answer some of your
> questions below. We will continue to answer questions on the Wikimania
> Meta-Wiki page and on the Wikimania Telegram group chat (more information
> below).
>
>
> *== What does “postponing” Wikimania mean? ==*
> We will not host an in-person Wikimania in 2020. We are rescheduling
> Wikimania Bangkok until 2021. The ESEAP organizing team[2] will continue
> their work as a regional collaborative between affiliates in the East,
> South East, and Pacific regions to host us in Thailand next year.
>
> The hotel and venue[3] in Bangkok will remain the same. We have not yet
> finalized dates for 2021. We will work with the ESEAP team and Wikimania
> Steering Committee to confirm new dates. We will let you know these dates
> by the end of 2020.
>
> The good news is that Wikimania 2021 will coincide with Wikipedia’s 20th
> birthday year. We expect this to be a truly memorable Wikimania -- an
> opportunity to celebrate reconnection after a year apart, along with the
> remarkable accomplishment of two decades of free knowledge.
>
> *== Will there be an alternative to the in-person event? ==*
>
> There are no plans by the 2020 Wikimania hosts to organize a virtual,
> online event. Hosting Wikimania is a lot of work. The ESEAP team is
> committed to hosting the best possible in-person event in Bangkok in 2021.
> Therefore, they will not have the capacity to organize a virtual Wikimania
> this year.
>
> However, the Wikimania committee, the ESEAP host team, and the Wikimedia
> Foundation all recognize that other members of the community may be
> interested in organizing a remote, global Wikimedia event for 2020.
> Although the Wikimedia Foundation does not have the capacity at this time
> to lead the organizing of a virtual online conference, we recognize others
> may have the desire to do so.
>
> We welcome discussion about online events. Interested parties are welcome
> to contact the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimania Foundation staff
> for advice on the Wikimania Meta-Wiki page[1].
>
> We are also considering proposals for improving the capacity of communities
> to organize local virtual convenings, and for how we can support
> communities in organizing impromptu local and regional Wikimedia events
> once the pandemic passes. As the situation has been changing rapidly we are
> still working on specifics and will share more information in the coming
> weeks.
>
> *== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*
>
> We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
> applications.[4] We will share more information in the coming weeks.
>
> *== How was this decision made? ==*
>
> This recommendation was made by the ESEAP organizers based on what we know
> about the current COVID-19 global health pandemic and current WHO
> guidelines. The decision was made together with the ESEAP team in
> consultation with the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimedia
> Foundation. Together we are fully and unanimously aligned around this
> decision.
>
> Although we are genuinely sad to not have the opportunity to see you all
> this year, we also are fully supportive of this decision in all of our best
> interests. It allows our ESEAP community hosts to focus on the immediate
> needs of their families, local Wikimedia communities, and local communities
> as a whole. It is in line with global public health guidance and aligns the
> Wikimedia movement as a responsible actor in support of our common public
> good.
>
> We want to thank all volunteers and affiliates that have been involved with
> planning Wikimania. We’re especially appreciative of the ESEAP for their
> leadership, flexibility, and compassion, as we have worked together to make
> some difficult decisions on this important event.
>
> *== Where can I learn more about Wikimania 2021? ==*
>
> There are a number of channels where Wikimania is regularly discussed and
> where plans for 2021 will be posted as they develop. We welcome all
> interested participants to bring together our collective 

[Wikimedia-l] [Covid-19] Postponing Wikimania Bangkok until 2021

[Katherine Maher]

Dear everyone,

As a part of the Wikimedia movement’s ongoing response to the COVID-19
pandemic, we are postponing Wikimania Bangkok 2020. This decision was made
with the full support of the ESEAP host team and Wikimania Committee.
Together, we will hold Wikimania in Bangkok in 2021.

We are filled with sadness to not see you all in Bangkok in August.
However, we are confident that this is the best possible decision for the
well-being of our global community and public health overall. This decision
was proposed by the ESEAP organizers in line with their countries’ response
to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in line with recommendations from the World
Health Organization (WHO).

You are certain to have many questions. We hope to answer some of your
questions below. We will continue to answer questions on the Wikimania
Meta-Wiki page and on the Wikimania Telegram group chat (more information
below).


*== What does “postponing” Wikimania mean? ==*
We will not host an in-person Wikimania in 2020. We are rescheduling
Wikimania Bangkok until 2021. The ESEAP organizing team[2] will continue
their work as a regional collaborative between affiliates in the East,
South East, and Pacific regions to host us in Thailand next year.

The hotel and venue[3] in Bangkok will remain the same. We have not yet
finalized dates for 2021. We will work with the ESEAP team and Wikimania
Steering Committee to confirm new dates. We will let you know these dates
by the end of 2020.

The good news is that Wikimania 2021 will coincide with Wikipedia’s 20th
birthday year. We expect this to be a truly memorable Wikimania -- an
opportunity to celebrate reconnection after a year apart, along with the
remarkable accomplishment of two decades of free knowledge.

*== Will there be an alternative to the in-person event? ==*

There are no plans by the 2020 Wikimania hosts to organize a virtual,
online event. Hosting Wikimania is a lot of work. The ESEAP team is
committed to hosting the best possible in-person event in Bangkok in 2021.
Therefore, they will not have the capacity to organize a virtual Wikimania
this year.

However, the Wikimania committee, the ESEAP host team, and the Wikimedia
Foundation all recognize that other members of the community may be
interested in organizing a remote, global Wikimedia event for 2020.
Although the Wikimedia Foundation does not have the capacity at this time
to lead the organizing of a virtual online conference, we recognize others
may have the desire to do so.

We welcome discussion about online events. Interested parties are welcome
to contact the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimania Foundation staff
for advice on the Wikimania Meta-Wiki page[1].

We are also considering proposals for improving the capacity of communities
to organize local virtual convenings, and for how we can support
communities in organizing impromptu local and regional Wikimedia events
once the pandemic passes. As the situation has been changing rapidly we are
still working on specifics and will share more information in the coming
weeks.

*== What does this mean for scholarship applications? ==*

We are working on a plan for how to process Wikimania 2020 scholarship
applications.[4] We will share more information in the coming weeks.

*== How was this decision made? ==*

This recommendation was made by the ESEAP organizers based on what we know
about the current COVID-19 global health pandemic and current WHO
guidelines. The decision was made together with the ESEAP team in
consultation with the Wikimania Steering Committee and Wikimedia
Foundation. Together we are fully and unanimously aligned around this
decision.

Although we are genuinely sad to not have the opportunity to see you all
this year, we also are fully supportive of this decision in all of our best
interests. It allows our ESEAP community hosts to focus on the immediate
needs of their families, local Wikimedia communities, and local communities
as a whole. It is in line with global public health guidance and aligns the
Wikimedia movement as a responsible actor in support of our common public
good.

We want to thank all volunteers and affiliates that have been involved with
planning Wikimania. We’re especially appreciative of the ESEAP for their
leadership, flexibility, and compassion, as we have worked together to make
some difficult decisions on this important event.

*== Where can I learn more about Wikimania 2021? ==*

There are a number of channels where Wikimania is regularly discussed and
where plans for 2021 will be posted as they develop. We welcome all
interested participants to bring together our collective wisdom and
creativity to discuss what happens next with Wikimania. You can find these
channels here:

   - Wikimania wiki: https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania
   - Wikimania mailing list:
   https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l
   - Freenode IRC channel: #wikimania
   - Telegram group chat: https://t.me/wikimaniachat

Re: [Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Research Showcase] March 18, 2020: Topic Modeling

[Janna Layton]

The Research Showcase and that coveted human interaction via a Q is
starting in about 30 minutes!

On Thu, Mar 12, 2020 at 12:29 PM Janna Layton  wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> The next Research Showcase will be live-streamed on Wednesday, March 18,
> at 9:30 AM PDT/16:30 UTC. We’ll have a presentation on topic modeling by
> Jordan Boyd-Graber. A question-and-answer session will follow.
>
> YouTube stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiD9QTHNVVM
>
> As usual, you can join the conversation on IRC at #wikimedia-research. You
> can also watch our past research showcases here:
> https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Research/Showcase
>
> This month's presentation:
>
> Big Data Analysis with Topic Models: Evaluation, Interaction, and
> Multilingual Extensions
>
> By: Jordan Boyd-Graber, University of Maryland
>
> A common information need is to understand large, unstructured datasets:
> millions of e-mails during e-discovery, a decade worth of science
> correspondence, or a day's tweets. In the last decade, topic models have
> become a common tool for navigating such datasets even across languages.
> This talk investigates the foundational research that allows successful
> tools for these data exploration tasks: how to know when you have an
> effective model of the dataset; how to correct bad models; how to measure
> topic model effectiveness; and how to detect framing and spin using these
> techniques. After introducing topic models, I argue why traditional
> measures of topic model quality---borrowed from machine learning---are
> inconsistent with how topic models are actually used. In response, I
> describe interactive topic modeling, a technique that enables users to
> impart their insights and preferences to models in a principled,
> interactive way. I will then address measuring topic model effectiveness in
> real-world tasks.
>
> Overview of topic models:
> https://mimno.infosci.cornell.edu/papers/2017_fntir_tm_applications.pdf
>
> Topic model evaluation: http://umiacs.umd.edu/~jbg//docs/nips2009-rtl.pdf
>
> Interactive topic modeling:
> http://umiacs.umd.edu/~jbg//docs/2014_mlj_itm.pdf
> Topic Models for Categorization:
> http://users.umiacs.umd.edu/~jbg//docs/2016_acl_doclabel.pdf
>
> --
> Janna Layton (she, her)
> Administrative Assistant - Product & Technology
> Wikimedia Foundation 
>


-- 
Janna Layton (she, her)
Administrative Assistant - Product & Technology
Wikimedia Foundation 
___
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and 
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l
New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org
Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,