[Foundation-l] Concern for the safety of Wikimedians at Wikimania in Alex...

Wed Mar 5 21:40:32 UTC 2008

I know you would, Gerard, that has become abundantly clear from the
discussion. I personally wouldn't mind going to Eritrea or Cuba for a
trip, but I don't think it is wise, if even possible, to hold a
conference in either location.

Somehow, I do not see a Wikimania Asmera for at least 10 years, nor a
Wikimania Havana.

Mark

On 04/03/2008, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hoi,
>  Is it really that obvious ? I would happily go to Eritrea or Cuba. Somalia
>  is something else again.
>  Thanks,
>      GerardM
>
>
>  On Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:36 PM, Mark Williamson <node.ue at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>  > As regards Africa, IANAE, but I always got the impression that there
>  > were certain places on every continent we would certainly prefer to
>  > hold in terms of safety, for example Seychelles, Mauritius, or Cape
>  > Verde. If this means preferring Canada when we look to North America,
>  > I don't care - why not hold it in Canada? For example, if we hold it
>  > in Central America (although technically part of North America), why
>  > wouldn't we hold it in Costa Rica?
>  >
>  > On the flip side, there are people who argue that we NEED to have it
>  > in oppressive countries, that this is a good thing.
>  >
>  > Why don't we hold it in Somalia then? How about Eritrea? Why don't we
>  > have a Wikimania Tripoli?
>  >
>  > When it comes to South America, why aren't we planning a Wikimania Havana?
>  >
>  > Obviously, that is an invalid argument. Outreach in such countries may
>  > be important, but that does not equate to holding our Wikimania there.
>  >
>  > Mark
>  >
>  > On 04/03/2008, Andrew Whitworth <wknight8111 at gmail.com> wrote:
>  > > On Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 1:56 PM, Gerard Meijssen
>  > > <gerard.meijssen at gmail.com> wrote:
>  > > >  The notion of me talking about "special interests" is something I
>  > dismiss.
>  > >
>  > > You said, and I'm quoting:
>  > >
>  > > "My point is not that we should not consider South Africa for next year,
>  > my
>  > > point is that all places have their issues and once you start to exclude
>  > > countries for what is problematic to some there are few places where we
>  > can
>  > > have our Wikimania. In pandering to special interests we exclude many
>  > people
>  > > and countries and that is both a travesty and a tragedy given what we
>  > aim to
>  > > do."
>  > >
>  > > My interpretation of this is that taking into account things that are
>  > > "problematic to some" involves "pandering to special interests".
>  > > Correct me if my interpretation of this is wrong, and maybe consider
>  > > correcting yourself if you misspoke.
>  > >
>  > > >  I wonder about the ease in which you come to the conclusion that the
>  > > >  organisers do not consider the safety for the people who come to
>  > Wikimania.
>  > > >  I find this rather disappointing and you are likely to be wrong.
>  > >
>  > > It is with no great ease. I've been patiently watching this thread,
>  > > and many like it, for several days now. Many concerns have been
>  > > brought up by many people, and all of them have been quickly
>  > > dismissed. Florence said that she would bring the issue up at the next
>  > > board meeting, but a plan to try and address it is not the same as
>  > > actually addressing the issue. My primary concern is for the safety my
>  > > fellow Wikimedians, and I want to make damn certain that people are
>  > > taking this issue seriously. A "we can never be completely safe, so
>  > > why bother trying" attitude, and vague warnings about staying with the
>  > > group hardly constitute proper consideration. If you find this concern
>  > > of mine to be "disappointing", then I have nothing further to say to
>  > > you about it.
>  > >
>  > > --Andrew Whitworth
>  > >
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>  >
>  >
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