WordCamp In Africa – Learning Growing Collaboration
William Jackson, M.Ed
WordCamp Organizer, Speaker, KidsCamp Organizer
Past sponsor WordCamp Harare and EdCamp Nigeria
“In our fast-changing world driven by digital technology,
it is important that every child becomes a creative actor
of localized digital solutions, not its passive consumer”.
@ashuna112 #ACW2019 #AfricaCodeWeek
There is a rapid expansion of WordCamp conferences in Africa,
this magnificent continent of resources both human and
environmental.
WordCamp conferences are seen growing, thriving and
educating people with a passion not just for technology, but
opening doors for business ventures, entrepreneurial opportunities,
unheard of digital collaboration. The opportunities to enable and
empowering African entrepreneurs to share their Brands and find
new Niches and partnerships.
As Blogger, Micro-bloggers, content creator and digital
influencer for over 15 years, digital impressions expand
based on engagements. That engagement builds with
the increase of involvement, engagement,
collaboration and sharing content.
WordCamp allows rapid and sustainable growth based on thought
leadership digitally and correspondingly with continued engagement
at MeetUps. Content creation is only limited by the creative minds that
apply what is learned at WordCamp conferences and the growing number
of KidsCamp and YouthCamp conferences.
WordCamp is a casual and at the same time professional
conference where information is shared related to
WordPress. WP is a free and open source personal publishing
application that powers over 40% of the web.
The immersion of Africa will rapidly increase these numbers and
allow for those African digital innovators to share their talents,
gifts and knowledge.
Africa is expanding the influence of knowledge and applied
knowledge to grow new generations of thought leaders,
digital dreamers, critical thinkers and collaborations that
will take place not just locally, but expand nationally and
across the continent.
Accompanying the traditional WC are KidsCamp and
YouthCamp components that encourage kids from
7yrs to 14yrs and YouthCamp from 15yrs to 17yrs.
There are increased numbers of youth, teens and
young Africans that are starting businesses and
becoming digital innovators, influencers and digital
business owners.
WC conferences build relevant discussions and
information is applicable immediately during
and after the conference. Networking is formidable
because real people with real careers, professions,
businesses, and real dreams are present to share
and help others.
Mentors in multiple areas can be found and the growing
number of Internships helps to provide youth and teens
with real world opportunities to apply and learn skills
to build on.
Meetups allow discussions to be continued and the
building of PLN’s or Professional Learning Networks
that help assist in connections, collaborations
and building networks.
The formats from lectures/presentations, speed talks,
or lightning presentations, panels and interviews.
Presentations are diverse sessions that incorporate slides
and videos that can be accessed from the presenters web
site or through WordCamp channel on
http://WordPress.tv after the conference.
The professional development opportunities continue
and can be used at the convenience from home or
through mobile devices.
The building of digital infrastructures that allow
for strong and consistent connections is growing
quickly because of the demands for access.
Access to tech is not a privilege, it has become a right,
as education is a human right, digital access to
educational, business and humanitarian information
is a right of all Africans not matter their educational,
economic, cultural or color. New laws are in place to
make sure access if available and equitable.
As a WordCamp blogger, advocate, speaker, organizer,
volunteer and a the value for the cost of a two day and
the growing three day conference pays for itself.
Africans are seeing that their Brand grows rapidly and
their engagements increase proportionally to following
others on Social Media platforms like Twitter, Instagram
and LinkedIn.
To keep up to date access WordCamp Central and
WordPress TV for relevant and real information.
Resources:
WordCamp Central
https://central.wordcamp.org/
WordPress TV
https://wordpress.tv/
Follow William Jackson and Aida Correa
on the hashtag #thatwordcamplife or #thatwordpresslife