UNDP moving to embrace open source with a new agency - August 2004

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has created the International Open Source Network (IOSN), with a primary goal to promote Free and Open Source Software(FOSS) usage.

The newly-launched IOSN is principally focused in the Asia-Pacific Region, as it began as an initiative of the UN's Asia-Pacific Information Development Programme (APDIP). This joins a growing number of open source software advocacy initiatives in Asia regions: the Linux consortium Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) recently opened a new office in China.

"Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) presents itself as an access solution for developing countries," the UN backed agency states on its website. "It represents an opportunity for these countries to adopt affordable software and solutions toward bridging the Digital Divide. It represents an alternative to importing expensive proprietary software and applications."

The IOSN said it sees FOSS providing opportunities for developing nations by saving money that can be used for more critical development priorities and objectives. Essentially what the IOSN does and will be doing is promoting awareness of and education about FOSS.

To that end, the agency has published an end-user guide to desktop Linux that is available on its Web site.

The IOSN's mandate is similar to the UN in its work with developing nations. It promoted an event called Software Freedom Day on August 28, when at least 34 nations took part by distributing FOSS software and providing educational information.

The UNITeS Initiative is managed by the UN Volunteers programme, which is part of UNDP. UNITeS promotes volunteers are fundamental to the success of ICT4D initiatives, and ICT volunteers are some of the biggest advocates of Open Source software usage.