Green Euro MP supports call for better access to open source software
22 May 2008
Open source software (1) should be more widely available in order to helpreduce the 'digital divide', according to Dr Caroline Lucas, Green MEP forthe South East.
Dr Lucas has added her signature to a written declaration in the EuropeanParliament - like an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons -recognising the growing disparities in access to information andcommunication technologies throughout the European Union, and calling forincreased use of open source technology.
She said: "The establishment of a digital divide is a new cause of socialdisparity which risks further excluding populations that are alreadyvulnerable.
"New digital technologies have become an essential tool in all areas oflife, including employment, education, and in personal leisure activities.
"European citizens have the right to freely access documents and informationfrom the institutions which represent them, and it is about time that theuse of open source software became more widespread.
"The European Union should take the necessary measures to help financepublic research on open source software, and Parliament to switch its wholecomputer network to this type of technology.
Dr Lucas concluded: "Some EU Member states have already implemented thetechnology to great effect, but I call on all administrations to heed thiscall for better access to free and open source software, and to investigateways in which public access to information can be improved."
ENDS
Dr Lucas' website was created and is managed using freeware:www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk
Notes to Editors
(1) Open source software is computer software which makes its source codeavailable under copyright, allowing users to use, change and distribute itfreely. This is in stark contrast to the kind of closed source, orproprietary software produced by companies such as Microsoft.
