Claude Bunny Massassa is a contemporary artist from Gabon. She created Bunny Studio in 2016, a start-up dedicated to photography production, which became DWABI Studio in 2021. As an artist, she has represented Gabon in many international exhibitions in Senegal, Uganda, France, the United States, and Italy. In her art, she denounces social stigmas around issues of identity and mental health, and explores themes of traditions and myths.
Executive Director Kimberly Aceves- Iñiguez has been passionately committed for over 20 years to social justice organizing and advocacy efforts that bring voice and power to youth, LGBTQ people, people of color, and working-class communities in the Bay Area. Before coming on as the Executive Director for RYSE, Kimberly served as the Executive Director for Youth Together, the founding organization of the RYSE Center.
Kanwarpal Dhaliwal is one of the co-founders of RYSE and currently acts as the Associate Director. She supports and guides the implementation and integration of healing-centered practices, grounded in racial justice and liberation, and also develops, promotes, and advocates for policies, investments, practices, and research that enliven healing, justice, and liberation. Kanwarpal believes that the purpose of her work and life is to contribute to movements, communities, and legacies of liberation that honor the ancestors who fought for her existence and survival, and to forge a world that is just and gentle for future generations.
Sagal Ali is the founder and executive director of SAF. After a few years in her career in heritage protection in the cultural sector, she decided to develop the initiative to directly support young creatives in Somalia by launching her own foundation. She hopes to bridge the social gaps and inequalities women face in Somalia, both in society and in the arts scene.
Co-founders Catherine Dunga and Marleen Palmaers created Kitambo to bridge the gap between the African diaspora in Colombia and the narratives from the continent. From Kinshasa and Antwerp respectively, they work to connect African artists from the continent and their peers from the Colombian diaspora.
Martha Kazungu is a curator, art Historian and Founder of Njabala Foundation, an organization that curates periodic exhibitions and organizes a public program of activities to create a safe space for female artists to thrive and blossom.
Alicia Hansen is a photographer and teacher from New York. She founded NYC SALT in 2008 and, beyond teaching valuable creative skills to her students, has developed a long-term support system to uplift them through school and into their early artistic careers.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to join our creative community
How does the Higher Education Initiative work?
Each session will consist of 2 hours a week for a total of 4 lectures per month with 50 participants, coming from international backgrounds. The training will be delivered in English or French and it will be held online on the Zoom platform.
All the selected participants will be able to participate in the Higher Education Initiative for free.
You will have the opportunity to meet an inspirational speaker, who will motivate you along the way. Higher Education Initiative does not only aim to simply train Wikipedia editors but also to enhance the skills of young Africans in their capacity to change the current digital narratives around the African continent.
Which sessions can I apply for in 2023?
Students interested can enroll starting February 2023. 3 sessions will be conducted in French or English respectively on the following dates:
- Session 1. From 17th March to 4th April (English)
- Session 2: From 12th May to 16th June (English)
- Session 3: From 13th October to 17th November (French)
Deadline applications:
- Session 1: March 1st at 12:00 P.M. GMT
- Session 2: April 16th at 12:00 PM GMT
- Session 3: September 13th at 12:00 PM GMT
Institutions' Engagement 2021
From Italy
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
- University of Rome Tor Vergata
- University of Naples Federico II
- Sapienza University of Rome
- Mygrants
- IULM di Milano
- Politecnico di Milano
From Africa
- Amref International University (AMIU) – Kenya
- Constitution Hill – South Africa
- Université Aube Nouvelle – Burkina Faso
- Institut Bagninty Institut Itoma Hema de Banfora – Burkina Faso
Supported by:
FAQ
Why should I apply?
- You want to ensure knowledge concerning your community and/or culture is better represented online
- You want to acquire the specific skills to create a Wikipedia article
- You want to expand the amount of useful content available in African languages online
- You want to contribute and challenge the way information is presented regarding Africa
- You want to fill certain knowledge gaps or misrepresentations that you have seen online
Who can apply?
- If you are a young person between 18 – 27 years old who wants to become a knowledge producer
- If you are intellectually curious and would like to learn how to leverage the Wikipedia platform
- If you are passionate about transforming your community through culture and creativity
- If you are proficient in English or French (depending on the session) and speak an African language
- Applications from around the world are welcome
- Applications from all the minority groups are encouraged, this is an inclusive program
Do I have to pay for the experience?
If you are selected to participate Moleskine Foundation and Fondazione Aurora will cover your participation fees
What happens if I am selected?
- You will receive an email confirming your selection and will be asked to confirm your desire to participate.
- You will be contacted by us with the details of the workshop.
What skills will I acquire?
Higher Education Initiative will enable you to acquire the digital skills needed to produce content on Wikimedia’s online platform, and skills for researching and publishing articles upon completion of the course and the writing of the required 5 papers per student, you will obtain an International Certificate of Completion will be issued attesting to the skills acquired.
