Our mission & vision
Our vision and mission
Wikimedia CH’s vision is a world in which every human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge for a more open and informed society.
As an independent association (NGO), we bring people together with the aim of disseminating free knowledge for a smart and open society. We enable Wikipedians to share knowledge and connect them with the Wikimedia universe. We are a collaborative and accountable association representing the interests of our multilingual communities in Switzerland.
Who we are
Wikimedia CH is a non profit association. Recognised as a chapter by the Wikimedia Foundation, we remain a financially and legally independent entity, obeying Swiss rules and leadership. Wikimedia CH does not host any of the projects of the Wikimedia Foundation and has no special publishing rights on them.
Our guiding principles
Wikimedia CH respects some core principles: We are a mindful organisation that invites contributors to be whole and connected. We live distributed authority and collective intelligence, being a web instead of a hierarchical pyramid. We embrace emerging and continuous learning. We put business and human needs side by side.
Our history
Wikimedia CH was founded on 14 May 2006 in a restaurant at the Olten train station by a group of engaged Wikipedians. They saw the need to have a body which takes care of the Movement’s concerns in Switzerland. In 2007, the Wikimedia Foundation officially recognised Wikimedia CH as a national chapter.
What makes us unique
Since 2016, Wikimedia CH has been a 100 % remotely working team. The staff members are based all over Switzerland. We have neither a headquarters nor a physical office. You can get engaged in differnt ways: make a donation, become member of our association, join the staff or become a partner.
We care about the Community
At Wikimedia CH, we believe that creating positive change requires caring for our community, our environment, and our shared digital spaces. Our Care Forward initiative embraces this holistic approach to building a more sustainable and inclusive future in close collaboration with the global Wikimedia Movement.
Partner with us
Wikimedia CH regularly works with partners in Switzerland to co-organise Wikipedia workshops, edit-a-thons and open-source hackathons. These events bring people from different backgrounds together to share their knowledge. We are grateful for all the positive support we receive from local and national organisations and companies.
