Newsletter April 2025
General Assembly on 10 May 2025
Our annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This is the time to look back together on the past year, look ahead to what is to come, and help decide on the course of our organization.
📍 All practical information can be found here.
What's on the agenda?
- Awarding of effective membership to associated members present (provided they have been members for at least six months)
- Activity report of the past year
- Financial report and approval of the annual accounts
- Discharge of the board
- Election of new board members
- Discussion and approval of the budget and plans for the coming year
- Miscellaneous and room for questions from members, followed by a drink.
We hope for a strong turnout from everyone who has registered, because your voice and involvement make the difference.
🇧🇪🤝🇳🇱 Inspiration across the border: Wikimedia Belgium visits Wikimedia Netherlands
On Thursday, April 3, a delegation from Wikimedia Belgium headed to Utrecht for an inspiring working visit to our northern neighbors of Wikimedia Netherlands. After a smooth train ride, we were warmly welcomed at their office, where the day was filled with constructive conversations, new insights and a pleasant lunch.
📌 What was on the agenda?
Target group work: How do we reach new target groups in a sustainable way? Consider closing the gender gap or involving young people in Wikimedia projects. We want to work in a structured manner and measure impact.
Project operation: Expanding the number of contributors to Wikipedia remains a spearhead. In the Netherlands, people actively collaborate with museums and cultural institutions to activate their public groups. An approach that we will certainly take with us.
Tools & technology: In Belgium we successfully use the Outreach Dashboard for project follow-up, partly thanks to the technical knowledge of Geert Van Pamel. In the Netherlands, traditional methods (such as Excel) are currently still used, but there is interest in taking steps in this direction.
Communication: We talked about the importance of a recognizable corporate identity and consistent communication. The use of tools such as Canva, ChatGPT and mailing tools was discussed, as was working with a communication matrix.
🎉 Looking to the future together
On June 19, 2026, the Dutch-language Wikipedia will celebrate its 25th anniversary (the French-language Wikipedia on March 23, 2026). We look forward to a possible joint celebration with our Dutch colleagues — a great opportunity to bring our communities closer together.
Curious how we translate this inspiration into our own operations?
📬 Keep following our newsletter or take a look at our website regularly!
Andries Van den Abeele celebrates 90th birthday
On April 12, 2025 Andries Van den Abeele celebrated his 90th birthday. This was extensively celebrated during an Academic Session in Bruges Town Hall on April 14.
Van den Abeele is a Belgian historian, author and former politician, known for his extensive research into Bruges history, nobility and economy. His work has contributed to unlocking historical heritage and spreading knowledge about Flanders.
With his publications and commitment to heritage conservation, he has had a lasting impact on the historiography and cultural sector. Wikimedia Belgium congratulates him on this milestone and thanks him for his valuable contributions, including on Wikipedia, to the knowledge of our collective past.
Wiki Etiquette: Together we ensure a safe and respectful atmosphere
Following a recent incident during a writing session, we at Wikimedia Belgium underline the importance of a safe, inclusive and respectful environment in all our activities. We want everyone to feel welcome and respected.
That is why we apply the Friendly Spaces Policy, which means, among other things, that discrimination, intimidation and other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Sexually explicit language or images are not appropriate during our events.
To avoid conflicts in the future, we will from now on appoint a 'local moderator to writing sessions. This person is approachable to participants and can mediate or intervene in a discussion if necessary.
If you feel unsafe, notice something inappropriate or have any other concerns, please always contact a member of the organization. They are recognizable and provide support where necessary. We greatly appreciate your presence and commitment — let's continue to build an open and friendly community together.
Tens of thousands of heritage photos enrich the collection of Ghent University
The collection of Ghent University has recently been significantly expanded thanks to an exceptional photo donation. Volunteer Mr.Nostalgic donated tens of thousands of digital recordings of Belgian heritage – from medieval manuscripts to city monuments – to the university library. The images show a rich palette of culturally and historically valuable objects: coins, manuscripts, maps, prints, old photos and architectural heritage from all over Belgium.
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The donation offers a unique visual insight into the Belgian past and is a valuable addition to the existing digital offering of the Ghent University library. The images also include shots of iconic monuments and urban beauty, carefully documented and often difficult to access for the general public.
Thanks to this donation, heritage is not only preserved for future generations, but also made publicly accessible to researchers, students and interested parties worldwide.
The university expresses its great gratitude to the donor, who collected and digitized these images through years of dedicated work.
Do you want to follow us on Bluesky?
We have recently been active on Bluesky, replacing X, and you can follow us there.
We share updates, behind-the-scenes and extra content that you don't want to miss. 👉 Please note: to follow us on Bluesky, you do need your own account. Don't have it yet? Don't worry — signing up is easy and possible here! Once you are logged in, you can find us via: @wikimedia.be.
We'll see you there!
Wikithon for International Girls in ICT Day
On April 24, 2025, the 4th Thursday of April, an inspiring Wikithon took place in collaboration with Amazone NPO an inspiring Wikithon took place to mark International Girls in ICT Day.
During this writing day, participants came together to make female role models in the IT and STEM sectors more visible on Wikipedia. During the writing session, the participants started writing and improving articles about female role models in technology, historical figures and current IT professionals. The activity brought both newcomers and experienced Wikipedians together in a warm, educational atmosphere.
👉 Curious about what was achieved?
Below you can find the preliminary results... there will undoubtedly be a lot of finishing work in the coming days. Would you like to consult the results yourself? That's possible! Click here.
| # New pages | # Edited pages | Total # of edits | # Editors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 44 | 97 | 62 |
Thanks to all participants and to Amazone for the organization! Would you like to organize a writing day too? Let us know — we are happy to help you get started.
Agenda
Wikimeet spring 2025? Your chance to organize it!
In the autumn of 2024, two fun Wikimeets took place, in 's-Hertogenbosch and Antwerp. During these meetings, cautious inquiries were made about a new Wikimeet in May 2025.
Nothing concrete has been planned yet, but the seed has been planted. Would you like to contribute to the next one? Wikimeet, for example, late May or early June 2025? Don't hesitate! Throw a ball in Village pump, on the Discord, or in another trusted place within the community. There is a good chance that others will be happy to join you.
Whether you already have a location in mind or just want to think along: let us hear from you!
May 8, 2025 – Edit-a-thon at the Musical Instrument Museum (Brussels)
On Thursday, May 8, Wikimedia Belgium is organizing an edit-a-thon in collaboration with the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Brussels. During this writing afternoon we will work together to make the rich collection and music history of the MIM more visible on Wikipedia and Wikidata.
Whether you're a music fanatic, an experienced Wikipedia editor or just curious: everyone is welcome! Guidance is provided, so newcomers can also participate easily.
📍 Location: Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels
🕑 14: 45 - 16:45
ℹ️ More information and registration
June 11, 2025 - Artists in the collection of the Yper Museum
In collaboration with the Yper Museum, we have started a series of writing sessions around artists from their collection. Through this project we want to make the rich artistic heritage of the Westhoek more accessible on Wikipedia.
On the projectpage you will find an overview of artists and current contributions. Everyone is welcome to write, improve or supplement. Both local history buffs and experienced Wikipedians can find something to their liking here.
👩🎨 Want to participate? Be sure to keep an eye on the project page!
🔭 Reminder: Planetary Science Wiki Edit-a-thon – still running!
Don't forget! The International Planetary Science Wiki Edit-a-thon is still running. This online project focuses on improving Wikipedia and Wikidata content on planetary sciences in all languages.
Everyone – from aspiring astronomers to experienced editors – is welcome to contribute. All information, resources and participation instructions can be found on the eventpage 🌍 Together we make knowledge about our solar system and beyond more accessible!
Contact us
Wikimedia Belgium NPO (WMBE)
Antwerpselaan 40 Boulevard d'Anvers
B-1000 Brussel/Bruxelles
+32 471 82 20 26 (voice/sms/Signal/Telegram/WhatsApp)
Enterprise 0563.775.480 – RPR Brussel – Not liable to VAT
www.wikimedia.be •
info@wikimedia.be