Submissions:2025/This Week's Article for Improvement

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This submission has been noted and is pending review for WikiConference North America 2025.



Title:

This Week's Article for Improvement

Type of session:

Lecture (15-30 min)

Session theme(s):

Missing pieces, Future of Wikipedia

Abstract:

How did one of Wikipedia’s greatest ideas get buried?

This Week’s Article for Improvement (TWAFI) is a weekly event, where, in theory, all of Wikipedia focuses on one poorly maintained article for improvement. But today it runs quietly in the background, all but forgotten.

TWAFI had the potential to become a Wikipedia mainstay as iconic as TFA or DYK, yet languishes in obscurity after it failed a trial run years ago. As I write this, this week’s designated article for improvement– Urarina language– is receiving less than 40 views daily. Without main page visibility, the project’s usefulness is significantly limited.

This cannot stand. With a strong community consensus in favor of revival, I’m launching a campaign to reimplement TWAFI on the Wikipedia homepage– from seeking technical help, streamlining the selection process, and building a volunteer base. I’ll consult the Wikipedians who were present for the original trial to avoid the same pitfalls. Hopefully, TWAFI will become a conduit for new Wikipedians and a proving ground for rapid collaboration.

Join me in realizing this forgotten vision. With a bit of grit, planning and foresight, we may add a new section to the Wikipedia homepage– the first since 2012.

Author name(s):

Brenton Wang

Wikimedia username(s):

Bremps

Affiliated organization(s):

Estimated length of session

20-25 min

Will you be presenting remotely?

I will present in-person

Okay to livestream?

Livestreaming is okay

Previously presented?

No

Special requests:

I may invite other editors in the audience to stand besides me, or simply stand up to be acknowledged.