= Dortmund relies on Free Software – This paves the way for Public Money? Public Code! =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20210331-01.en.html ]
With a groundbreaking resolution, Dortmund has committed itself to the
use of Free Software. With an overwhelming, cross-faction majority, the
city council has paved the way for "Public Money? Public Code!” In the
future, software developed or commissioned by the administration will be
made available to the general public.
Back in February, the city council approved a motion previously
submitted by the SPD, Bündnis90/Die Grünen, CDU, Die Linke+ and
FDP/Bürgerliste. In the future, Free Software is to be used wherever
possible and software developed or commissioned for development by the
administration is to be made available to the general public. Dortmund
is thus following the principle of "Public Money? Public Code!" - code
paid for by all should be available to the people! The minutes of the
meeting published today [1] show with what unity the council stands
behind the principle: The motion passed unanimously. (Although the
FDP/Bürgerliste abstained from the vote due to a different amendment on
a different point, but introduced the motion and is still in favor). The
result was made possible by the consistent efforts of the DO-FOSS
initiative [2], which also supported the "Public Money? Public Code"
campaign of the FSFE.
Matthias Kirschner, President of the Free Software Foundation Europe
states: "We are happy that the DO-FOSS initiative was able to convince
the city of Dortmund of the principle of "Public Money? Public Code".
Free Software gives everyone the right to use, study, share and improve
software for any purpose. These freedoms also benefit administrations.
Public administrations that follow this principle can benefit from
numerous advantages: Collaboration with other government agencies,
independence from individual vendors, potential tax savings, innovation
and a more solid basis for IT security. The Council's decision means
that there is now the political backing to gradually break down
dependencies on proprietary vendors. We will accompany the
implementation and at the same time call on other administrations in
Germany and Europe to follow Dortmund's example." The "Public Money?
Public Code!" initiative aims to establish Free Software as the standard
for publicly funded software. The "Public Money? Public Code!"
initiative of the Free Software Foundation Europe is supported by over
200 organizations and administrations. Learn more here: publiccode.eu
[3]
Discuss this [4]
1: https://rathaus.dortmund.de/dosys/doRat.nsf/NiederschriftXP.xsp?action=open…
2: https://blog.do-foss.de/
3: https://publiccode.eu/
4: https://community.fsfe.org/t/646
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to
control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our
lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than
restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use,
understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other
fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.
The FSFE helps individuals and organisations to understand how Free
Software contributes to freedom, transparency, and self-determination.
It enhances users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software
adoption, encourage people to use and develop Free Software, and
provide resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software
in Europe.
https://fsfe.org
= Statement on Richard Stallman rejoining the FSF board =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20210324-01.en.html ]
We learnt through a public announcement that Richard Stallman is again
part of the board of directors of the Free Software Foundation, one of
our independent sister organisations. We disapprove of this step that
came without any message of remorse or willingness to change.
In 2019, Richard Stallman resigned as president and board member of the
Free Software Foundation. On 21 March 2021 Stallman announced he is
member of the board again. The FSFE only learnt about that fact through
his public announcement.
We believe this step and how it was communicated harms the future of the
Free Software movement. The goal of the software freedom movement is to
empower all people to control technology and thereby create a better
society for everyone. Free Software is meant to serve everyone
regardless of their age, ability or disability, gender identity, sex,
ethnicity, nationality, religion or sexual orientation. This requires an
inclusive and diverse environment that welcomes all contributors
equally. The FSFE realises that we ourselves and the Free Software
movement still have to work hard to be that place where everyone feels
safe and respected to participate in it in order to fulfill the
movement's mission.
One crucial factor in making our community more inclusive is to
recognise and reflect when other people are offended or harmed by our
own actions and consider this feedback in future actions. The way
Richard Stallman announced his return to the board unfortunately lacks
any acknowledgement of this kind of thought process, and we are deeply
disappointed that the FSF board did not address these concerns before
electing him a board member again. Overall, we feel the current step
sends the wrong signal to existing and future community members.
That is why, as a legally and financially independent organisation, in
which Richard Stallman has not had any decision-making powers, we call
for his resignation from all FSF bodies. The FSF needs to seriously
reflect on this decision as well as their decision-making process to
prevent similar issues from happening again. Therefore, in the current
situation we see ourselves unable to collaborate both with the FSF and
any other organisation in which Richard Stallman has a leading position.
Instead, we will continue to work with groups and individuals who foster
diversity and equality in the Free Software movement in order to achieve
our joint goal of empowering all users to control technology.
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to
control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our
lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than
restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use,
understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other
fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.
The FSFE helps individuals and organisations to understand how Free
Software contributes to freedom, transparency, and self-determination.
It enhances users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software
adoption, encourage people to use and develop Free Software, and
provide resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software
in Europe.
https://fsfe.org