19^th International CODATA Conference
Category: World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

Open Access for All: A Required Step towards a Society of Shared Knowledge

His Excellency Adama Samassekou
PrepCom of WSIS, African Academy of Languages

The first phase of the World Summit of the Information Society constituted a major step towards a society of shared knowledge. Not only the central role of Science has been clearly recognized, but for the first time in the history of United Nations Summits, the importance of Open Access to Scientific Information has been acknowledged. The topic of access to raw or fundamental scientific data must be distinguished with access to Scientific Literature and the two issues must not be confused, while Open Access to both must be guaranteed for all, in the most inclusive manner, when funded from Public Source or from Philanthropic foundations.
In this conference organised by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA), it would be interesting to discuss whether scientific articles should freely disclose the raw scientific data they are based upon, and if it is coherent to advocate only free access to raw data, while related articles that are explaining or commenting on them, are not also freely available.

Progresses are currently being made in favour of Open Access, but the implementation of the WSIS plan of action demands more as it demands equal opportunity for all. For example, financially disadvantaged scientists, struggling for intellectual survival not only in developing countries but everywhere in the world, cannot and shall not accept to be considered as second rate human beings and have only free access to six month old archives. More innovative and inclusive policies must be implemented. The Digital Divide must be bridged at the very level of the scientific and technical content, as well as in terms of network infrastructures.

Sustainable development, a high quality Education for All, adequate and decent Health care, cannot be achieved without enforcing Open Access. The Brain Drain also cannot be stopped without Open Access. I am calling to the attention and conscience of all learned scientific societies that their philanthropic goals cannot be fulfilled if they are not making available freely to all, the very content that is freely donated to them. They should make their best efforts to find other financial resources to support their operation that are less detrimental to the whole society.

Therefore I call to all scientists and scientific organisations to unequivocally support and implement Open Access for all without any delay, so that at the final WSIS session in Tunis, in November 2005, significant advances towards a society of shared knowledge could be reported and be acclaimed by all the peoples of the world.