Open Solutions: A lever to achieve access to information and knowledge

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) emphasized the importance of open solutions in providing access to information and education in a digitized world. Libraries aim to transition from mere accessibility to actual usage of knowledge. This involves the establishment of operation platforms for knowledge curation and creation, adherence to equity and ethics, and collaboration with policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for open solutions. Libraries play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of open solutions and addressing information inequality and inequity.

Alex Gakuru, a leading advocate for openness and transparency, highlighted the need for the Global South to not only consume but also produce knowledge through open educational content. Challenges faced by the Global South include a lack of awareness about copyright and the benefits of open licensing, the need for capacity building in creating Open Educational Resources (OERs), and the absence of supportive policies. Initiatives by UNESCO, such as the "oerisation" process at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, have demonstrated the positive impact of capacity development in promoting the democratization of knowledge and universal access to education.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) emphasized the advantages of Open Access and Creative Commons licenses in promoting access to knowledge and information. WIPO’s shift toward these licenses and initiatives like the WIPO Research4Life Project exemplify their commitment to openness and collaboration in research and innovation.

Dr Ard Prasad, an academic in Library and Information Science, emphasized the need to incorporate openness in policy frameworks. He highlighted the existence of 858 Open Access Policies in 191 countries, as well as the Global Open Access Portal (GOAP), which provides an inventory of these policies along with repositories, journals, and data repositories. GOAP also offers templates and checklists for model policies related to openness at different levels.

Ms Arianna Becerril Garcia, a professor and executive director of Redalyc, stressed the importance of open access to scientific information in democratizing science. She advocated for academic ownership of scholarly communication processes and emphasized the need for South-South collaboration in knowledge sharing through open licensing. Ms. Garcia also highlighted the importance of adopting non-commercial workflows in journal production processes.

The future of knowledge sharing looks promising with the use of open solutions. Establishing open solution policies and building capacity to create and utilize open solutions will ensure that knowledge remains a global public good accessible to everyone.