Wikimedia Australia/Statement of Purpose

Purpose

The purpose of the organisation is to support equality of opportunity to create and use knowledge, especially relating to Australian culture or within an Australian context, by encouraging the creation, collection and distribution of Free Cultural Works in a non-profit way. In terms of the organisation, Free Cultural Works are all works that are available under conditions that allow everybody to use and distribute these works freely and to modify these works.

For collection and distribution of Free Cultural Works, Wikis will be predominantly, but not exclusively, the technology of choice. Wikis are software systems accessible via the Internet which let their users both access and modify content easily, thus enabling the collaborative creation of such content.

The organisation shall take the responsibilities of a Local Chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (Florida, USA). The organisation's independence is not affected by this. The Wikimedia Foundation acts as the umbrella organization for all Wikimedia Local Chapters.

The organisation's purpose is to be pursued by:

1. the operation and the funding of online systems for creation, collection and distribution of Free Cultural Works. The main focus lies on the several Wikimedia projects. The Wikimedia projects are those listed on the official site http://www.wikimedia.org/ or any other replacing it in the future.
2. the distribution and support of distribution of Free Cultural Works by other means, e.g., in digital or printed form, with focus on the contents of the international Wikimedia projects.
3. the acquisition and distribution of information and public relations work relating to Free Cultural Works, Wikis and the various Wikimedia projects, through events or information literature.
4. facilitating educational and social events that encourage contributions to, and use of, Free Cultural Works and Wikis.
5. resolving scientific, social, cultural and legal questions relating to Free Cultural Works and Wikis, especially within an Australian context, e.g. with expert opinions, surveys, and awarding of scholarships.

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Notes