Enhanced Internet-enabled access and use of public sector information
Hyderbad, India: 4 December 2008
Agenda of the Meeting
The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) organised and held an IGF Best Practise Forum on: Increasing Internet-enabled access to digital public sector information and content.
Public organisations produce and hold a large amount of public sector information and content (PSI). An increasing amount of PSI is digitised or produced in digital form and is increasingly accessible and available as information products and services for potential users to find, access, re-use, and further develop for both individual and commercial purposes. Examples of the large potential of PSI when put to wider use could include the variety of new private sector services based on meteorological and cartographic data, access to video archives of national public broadcasters, and virtual guided tours through art galleries or museums.
The growing interest of governments in facilitating access to and promoting further use of PSI is based on the expectation that enhanced flows and re-use of information, and the increased economic and social activity associated with its use, contribute to improving government efficiency, economic growth, access to knowledge, education, understanding of cultural heritage and citizen welfare. Greater access also supports fundamental principles including openness, democracy, human rights and freedom of information. But wider use of digital PSI may require changes in policy approaches and reorganisation of public information as a number of obstacles impede efficient access to PSI and its effective use. Difficulties faced include restrictive or unclear rules governing access and conditions of re-use; complex licensing procedures; inefficient distribution to final users. There are also challenges with new technologies and ensuring long-term preservation, the development of born-digital content, the implementation of cultural digitisation projects where market mechanisms do not foster effective digitisation, and barriers to development of international markets.
The Forum explored best practices to overcome these challenges that build on the OECD Recommendation for Enhanced Access and more Effective Use of Public Sector Information.
OECD background document. ( 2 pages PDF Format )
The meeting was Chaired by: Graham Vickery, Head of Information Economy Group, OECD
Panel members
In the order that they spoke:
- Chair: Graham Vickery, Head of Information Economy Group, OECD - Recommendation of the OECD Council for enhanced access and more effective use of public sector information ( 4 slides PDF Format ), ( 4 Slides PPS Format ), ( 4 slides PPT Format )
- Panelist: Chris Corbin, ePSIplus, UK – An example of PSI Re-use in Europe – Lessons and Good Practice - Transcription of speech ( 5 pages PDF format ), Supporting presentation displayed during speech: ( 6 Slides PDF Format ), ( 6 Slides PPS Format ), ( 6 Slides PPT Format )
- Panelist: Rajeev Chawla, Commissioner, Survey Settlement and Land Records Department, Government of Karnataka, India. Bhoomi
- Panelist: Ilkka Lakaniemi, Head of Global Dialogue and Initiatives Corporate Affairs, Nokia Siemens Networks, Finland
- Panelist: Dr. Govind, Director, Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Information and Communications and Information Technology, Government of India
Debate
UK Civil Service Code for online participation
UK NetMums - Netmums is a family of local websites set up and run by mums (hence the name, but of course dads and anyone involved in caring for young children are welcome too!).
Related ePSIplus News topics
OECD Forum panelists (24 November 2008)
OECD Best Practice Forum (2 October 2008)