Free/Open Source Software for Asia-Pacific Consultation (FOSSAP II)

Siem Reap, Cambodia

1- 4 September 2005

Welcome comments by Shahid Akhtar

On behalf of our local hosts, the National ICT Development Authority (NiDA) of Cambodia and the Open Forum of Cambodia, Intel, and UNDP-APDIP,

Dr Chhay Kim, Advisor to the Council of Ministers,

Excellency Sok Leakhana, Deputy Governor, Siem Reap Province,

Dr. Phu Leewood, Secretary General of the National ICT Development Authority,

Mr. Richard M. Stallman,

Colleagues and friends,

welcome to the second Free and Open Source Software Asia-Pacific – or FOSSAP – consultation.

As you are aware, many developing countries are caught up in a vicious cycle of poverty and piracy. They are too poor to buy proprietary software, resulting in up to 90% piracy rate in some countries. With piracy come court cases and the incapacity to join world bodies like the World Trade Organization, unless they clean up their act with regard to piracy. This, unfortunately, they cannot do because they are poor. A vicious cycle!

Free/Open Source Software provides some hope – an alternative – a way out of this vicious cycle.

FOSS not only provides an alternative, it also increases the user’s control over their own machines or PCs (Personal Computers), and it provides a framework for sharing intellectual capital. FOSS can also play an important role in the application of ICTs (Information and Commmunication Technologies) for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs. It is for some of these reasons that some two and a half years ago UNDP-APDIP started IOSN. FOSSAP I, in Kuala Lumpu, eighteen months ago helped set the agenda for what we have done over the first one and a half years. And we now turn to you again here at FOSSAP II, to help set the agenda for the next two years or so.

Of course, even before we started, there were all kinds of people already very involved and working hard on free software throughout Asia-Pacific. But little was known about who they were, where they were, or what they were working on. IOSN helped bring them together and tapped them to do many things for the larger, common good.

Besides Free/Open Source Software, IOSN focuses on Open Content and Open Standards. IOSN serves as a clearinghouse for information – a meeting point – in all these areas.

IOSN is a network of like-minded people. And the main meeting place for them is the IOSN portal – a plone-based, community-run or operated-portal with over 1,500 members. Indeed, a case study was recently released on IOSN’s portal, and it is available on the portal itself. I invite you to read this if you have an interest in participatory approaches to portal development.

Furthermore, IOSN provides policy support and advisory services to governments. We support FOSS research and development, e.g. on localization. IOSN helps build FOSS capabilities and capacities, e.g. through the development of “toolkits” and “how to” primers and guidebooks; as well as FOSS hands-on camps like Asia Source, which involved more than one hundred people from NGOs across Asia-Pacific. IOSN builds self-learning kits like online, multimedia end-user training materials, and provides training such as the Linux Professional Institute I + II courses. IOSN does advocacy and awareness through events such as Software Freedom Day and other regional and national events.

There is more that you will learn about it all in the next 2-3 days.

All of this work is done by two people. Sunil Abraham based in Bangalore and Khairil Yusof in Kuala Lumpur. But, of course, they are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, for dozens of other people, including many of you are directly involved in the work of IOSN, and have made IOSN what it is today. And let me take this opportunity to thank one and all for giving so generously of your time and sharing even more generously of your knowledge base.

Well, the result has been that our efforts have been duly recognized by not only governments, but also the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and some large private corporations. You can see some of their feedback on the IOSN portal itself. But, more importantly, regional governments are now considering policies to promote the use of FOSS. Countries such as Malaysia and Viet Nam are already implementing national FOSS policies.

Mega-national FOSS events are now beginning to take place all around us. Two weeks ago Pakistan organized such an event where thousands attended; the chief organizer is here with us today. Sri Lanka is organizing one next week and I know some of you will be there next week along with my colleague, Khairil. Two weeks from today, the Philippines will hold a similar national event. FOSS now has a momentum of its own – a dfforce to contend with.

At IOSN, we are revisiting how we can continue to best respond to this ever increasing need and demand for information and assistance on FOSS. The region is vast – stretching from Iran to the Cook Islands. Each sub-region, each country, has unique needs. We seek your advice – just as we did at FOSSAP I, eighteen months ago.

One idea that we are pursuing is the creation of three sub-regional IOSN centres – one each for South Asia, South-East Asia, and the Pacific Island countries. Each a UNDP Centre of Excellence on and for FOSS. We have already put out a detailed Expression of Interest on this on the IOSN portal last week. I invite all of you to please take a look and refer your friends to this.

Let me close by thanking our sponsors and partners for FOSSAP II. First and foremost, the Royal Government of Cambodia and, in particular, the National ICT Development Authority (NiDA). Here, in particular, our thanks to His Excellency Phu Leewood and Noy Shoung.

In Cambodia as well, thanks go out to the Open Forum of Cambodia for all their help and assistance.

A great big thanks to the Intel Corporation for their sponsorship of the event.

My sincerest thanks also to my colleagues Kharil and especially Sunil for putting in a Herculean effort to get this show on the road!

And, last but not least, my heartfelt thanks to one and all in this room for taking the time to be here with us today.

Shahid Akhtar

Programme Co-ordinator

UNDP-APDIP

Phet Sayo

Check spelling

3

Free and Open Source Software Asia-Pacific Consultation (FOSSAP

Phet Sayo

2005-09-02T13:45:00

Khairil Yusof