[Fsfe-uk] [comp.os.linux.announce] Manifesto on the role of Open Source Software for Development Cooperation

[PFJ]

Hi,

Spotted this on col.announce - looks quite good to me.

TTFN

Paul

On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 23:50:43 -0600, Frederick Noronha (FN) wrote:

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> 
> The following manifesto was finalized during a recent workshop on the role
> of Open Source software in the context of Development cooperation that was
> held in the context of the Waag Sarai exchange programme at Waag Society in
> Amsterdam. The Manifesto has been presented to Dutch members of parliament
> on July 1st. It is also available in its original layout at
> http://sarai.waag.org/display.php?id=28
> 
> /paul
> 
> Manifesto on the role of Open Source Software for Development Cooperation
> 
> Free, Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS)[1]  represent a new and growing
> phenomenon, which is much discussed these days as it implies a radically new
> method of production, co-operation and exchange. In this paper we argue that
> Open Source Software has a special importance when viewed, used and produced
> in the context of development cooperation. With this paper we want to
> encourage all stakeholders in the sector to pay more attention to Open
> Source Software, employ it wherever possible and to learn from the
> principles embedded in it. This manifest that has been produced during a
> workshop[2] on the role of Open Source Software in the development
> cooperation context that was organized by Waag Society and Hivos contains a
> number of recommendations aimed at increasing the use of Open Source
> Software in this sector.
> 
> The philosophy behind open source software
> 
> The knowledge that is embedded in operating systems and software programs to
> make them run, also known as the source code, can be either 'closed' and
> proprietary, or 'open', that is public and shared. Free, Libre and Open
> Source Software (FLOSS) is software of which the source code is available,
> that may be used, copied, and distributed with or without modifications, and
> that may be offered either with or without a fee.
> 
> Although the open source movement goes back almost forty years, Open Source
> Software has become a mainstream-topic only recently. Worldwide more and
> more businesses, organizations and governments are using Open Source
> Software. This ongoing adoption can be attributed to two reasons, namely the
> maturing of some key open source products like GNU/Linux and Office
> production software (Open Office) and the increased resistance to the
> effective monopoly of Microsoft on the worldwide software market.
> 
> The choice for either the open or the closed concept has very different and
> far-reaching consequences for users, developers and producers of software
> alike. 
> 
> The (still dominant) closed format of software seems to suit corporate
> interests well, but at the same time it appears to be increasingly at odds
> with the current shift of Œtangible' (concrete products and services),
> towards 'intangible'’ (i.e. knowledge-based) production. Since the
> immaterial, in the digital age, is also very easily duplicable, the efforts
> to 'proprietarize' it have resulted in severe legal and political conflicts
> around the disputed concept of 'intellectual property rights'.
> 
> Open Source Software by putting knowledge (the source code) in the public
> domain’ offers much more opportunities for sharing and co-operation between
> all players in the field, reduces dependencies, hinders the rise of
> monopolists, and fosters healthy competition. Contrary to widespread
> beliefs, Open Source Software is not adverse to commerce and business as
> Open Source based products and services can be sold by anyone.
> 
> Open Source Software and Development Cooperation
> 
> -The most significant advantage is the right to view and modify the source
> code as it enables anyone with the required skills to improve or modify such
> applications thus creating the possibility to tailor Open Source Software
> applications according to individual, regional or special needs. In the
> context of development cooperation this means that applications can be
> adapted to country specific circumstances (language or other special needs)
> regardless of the fact if this is profitable for a vendor or not.
> 
> -As Open Source Software applications are not the property of a single
> entity, using them makes the user less dependent. This is especially
> important in the South were organisations running on subsidised or pirated
> software face the risk of becoming dependent on essential infrastructure
> they cannot sustain should the subsidies end or intellectual property laws
> be enforced. Additionally Open Source Software does ensure that specialized
> knowledge that was generated with public resources is not kept as a
> protected secret of the North. The use of Open Source Software implies a
> willingness to share knowledge between North and South
> 
> -While it is disputed if Open Source Software is less expensive to run than
> proprietary software, it is undisputed that the acquisition costs are lower
> (some studies claim higher administration and training costs). In the
> context of development cooperation this means that little or no money has to
> be spend for goods imported from the North while local personnel in the
> South can carry out training and maintenance tasks. This effectively reduces
> the allocation of development cooperation resources to the North.
> Additionally Open Source Software solutions can be at the base of local
> distribution and support networks that can create autonomous economic
> activity in the South.
> 
> Open Source Software also has some weaknesses. The focus of most
> FLOSS-products is more on the technical user; this can be a hindrance for
> the inexperienced user. However, Open Source Software is gradually improving
> in this area. Furthermore, due to the fact that not a lot of people are
> using Open Source Software, in some places there might be a lack of training
> opportunities and support, although this lack of support is compensated by
> an extensive amount of Open Source Software-support on the Internet. The
> relatively small user base of Open Source Software also might give
> organizations some compatibility problems with organizations that use the
> Œstandard¹ proprietary software.
> 
> In the context of international co-operation and development, Open Source
> Software is a very promising approach, because it is far more conducive to
> its stated goals of non-dependent development, fostering of local knowledge,
> diversity and sustainability. Successful Open Source Software projects have
> shown that cooperation on an equal basis is possible between organizations
> and individuals independent of origin. This hints at the potential of the
> methods of production, co-operation and exchange pioneered by Open Source
> Software developers for cooperation in other realms.
> 
> Therefore, we believe that it is essential to consider, and if found
> appropriate, to advocate, and support the use of FLOSS and the philosophy
> that belongs to it.
> 
> Politics and Open Source Software
> 
> At the end of this year Geneva hosts the World Summit on the Information
> Society that is to result in a declaration and an action plan by governments
> on how to achieve a information society that is of benefit to us all.
> Numerous drafts have been published, some people centred, some market
> centred, all mentioning Open Source Software.
> It is mentioned for example as Œbasic elements in the development of a more
> affordable access to ICTs¹. And also Œthe development and use of open
> standards are particularly important for developing countries. In this
> regard the increased use of Open Source Software can contribute to
> increasing access and to adding to the diversity of choice of software for
> consumers¹.
> 
> Open Source Software development has already been recognised by Dutch
> Parliament as the way forward. In November 2002 Parliament accepted a motion
> on open source software. It stated that the current market conditions are
> not optimal (concentrated suppliers and high costs of switching) and that
> software plays a crucial role in a knowledge society. The motion called upon
> the government to make sure that all software used by the Dutch public
> sector in 2006 meets the open standards, stimulate the production and
> distribution of open source software in the Dutch public sector and set
> concrete and ambitious standards for this.
> 
> The Dutch political party GroenLinks proposed a strategy based on four
> elements: Œbuy open¹, Œmake open¹, Œstimulate open¹ and Œwith(in) the EU if
> possible¹. We would like to adapt these elements, and internationalise them,
> link them to the WSIS and present them with a development angle.
> 
> Use open
> 
> - Organisations working in the development sector, both nationally and
> internationally (e.g. World Bank) and governments should start implementing
> FLOSS wherever possible.
> - Organisations working in the development sector, both nationally and
> internationally (e.g. World Bank) and governments should be able to exchange
> documents in open (file-) formats.
> 
> Buy open 
> 
> - By 2008 organisations working in the development sector, both nationally
> and internationally (e.g. World Bank) and governments should only buy
> software using open (file-) formats.
> - In the meanwhile development projects and organizations that receive
> funding for software should whenever possible spend this on FLOSS.
> 
> Make open
> 
> - By 2008 organisations working in the development sector, both nationally
> and internationally (e.g. World Bank) and governments should set up a fund
> for southern initiatives for the production of FLOSS.
> - The action plan that will be agreed upon at the WSIS should contain
> funding for southern FLOSS development.
> - Software made with development funds, should be available within the
> public domain (and comply with OSI guidelines).
> 
> Stimulate open
> 
> - The action plan that will be agreed upon at the WSIS should contain
> concrete actions for knowledge sharing and training on FLOSS. (An
> international knowledge centre could be an option)
> - By 2008 organisations working in the development sector, both nationally
> and internationally (e.g. World Bank) and governments should always advocate
> the use of FLOSS and other modes of knowledge production and sharing
> 
> Internationally
> 
> - The declaration and action plan that will be agreed upon at the WSIS
> should refer to FLOSS as a key element in developing an 'information society
> for all¹
> - Organisations working in the development sector, both nationally and
> internationally (e.g. World Bank) and governments should not wait for
> international consensus with using, buying, making and stimulating FLOSS but
> start right now. 
> 
> inline text box 1:
> 
> Free as in speech 
> 
> While this manifesto focuses on the practical advantages of Open Source
> Software in the context of development cooperation it is important to stress
> that the FLOSS movement also has an ideological component. This includes
> that anyone should have the freedom to run, change, distribute and study
> software independent of outside interferences and limitations. In the
> context of development cooperation this ability to operate independent of
> external interests and interferences helps ensure that the focus is kept on
> the more important issues.
> 
> inline text box 2:
> 
> FLOSS and the link with Good Governance and Local Ownership
> 
> In the field of development cooperation 'good governance' and Œlocal
> ownership¹ have become important criteria for allocating resources. In
> contrast to proprietary software, key elements of what is considered to be
> 'good governance' and Œlocal ownership¹ can be found in the FLOSS approach
> to software development, distribution and implementation: The principles of
> transparency and participation for example are embodied within FLOSS. This
> means that FLOSS provides tools that are in line with the goals and
> intentions of development cooperation projects
> 
> The Hague, 25 June 2003
> Waag Society
> Hivos
> 
> [1]  ŒFree, Libre and Open Source Software¹ and ŒFLOSS¹, as well as ŒOpen
> Source Software¹ and ŒOSS¹ are all used in this document and are
> interchangeable. FLOSS is more correct, OSS more commonly used.
>  
> [2] Organized by Waag Society and Hivos, 2-4 June 2003 in Amsterdam, with
> guests and speakers from The Netherlands, Costa Rica, India, Uganda, Italy
> and Iran.
> 
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