Wikimedia Foundation Joins the Global Network Initiative as Company Member

The Global Network Initiative (GNI) is thrilled to announce that, after participating as an observer, the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit behind Wikipedia, is expanding their participation with GNI to become a company member. The Foundation will join 13 leading information and communications technology (ICT) companies and more than 50 academic, civil society, and investor members from around the world to advocate for shared GNI policy priorities.

“At the Wikimedia Foundation, we believe access to knowledge is a fundamental right – that when we have strong laws and policies that protect free expression, privacy, and the free and safe exchange of information online, we enrich our societies to be more informed and engaged. We’re excited to expand our work with GNI and further collaborate with other companies and organizations committed to advancing these policy principles globally,” said Senior Public Policy Manager at the Wikimedia Foundation, Jan Gerlach.

As company members, the Wikimedia Foundation will work closely with GNI staff and other GNI members to identify and lead advocacy efforts that advance GNI’s core policy interests around the world, including through participating in issue-specific committees, drafting and supporting policy position papers, and other advocacy efforts.

“The Wikimedia Foundation’s experience as a global platform positions them to significantly contribute to the conversations among GNI companies, while their unique perspective as a non-profit hosting provider will benefit all GNI members,” said GNI Executive Director Judith Lichtenberg.

The Wikimedia Foundation operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Their work is driven by the mission to ensure everyone, everywhere can freely access knowledge. They run the technology behind Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects; support the volunteer contributors who make these projects possible; build new models for reading, editing, and sharing content from Wikipedia; and work with partners around the world to advance technology for good and an open internet. The Wikimedia Foundation is based in the United States, but advocates for policies globally that protect access to information, privacy, freedom of expression, and Internet freedom.

Learn more about the Wikimedia Foundation. Learn more about GNI members.