The EGOVOS conference is a high-level international event covering the topic of free/open source software (commonly referred to as Libre Software in Europe), interoperability and open standards in the government sphere. Researchers and developers, local, regional, national and international users and stakeholders, as well as management experts and industry attend. The conference will provide an unrivalled open platform in which to debate and to exchange views on the viability of Libre Software in the design and implementation of affordable, scalable, secure eGovernment services.
EGOVOS has already been held twice, both times in Washington, DC. The first conference (October 2002) was hosted by the World Bank and George Washington University's Cyber Security Policy & Research Institute (CSPRI). The second conference in March 2003 was organized by CSPRI and the Center of Open Source & Government.
EGOVOS will be held for the first time outside of the United States on 24-26 November, 2003 and hosted by UNESCO at their headquarters in Paris. The lead organizers of the conference are MERIT/Infonomics at the University of Maastricht jointly with CSPRI and the Center of Open Source & Government. The conference is supported by other international organizations, including UNDP and the European Commission.
The conference provides a collegiate setting for presentation and discussion on innovative developments and usage of Open Source by public administrations, and is expected to draw over 400 delegates. It provides an opportunity to highlight achievements and landmark national initiatives as well as look forward to challenges and priorities for furthering the use of Free Software. EGOVOS in November will feature the following Thematic Priorities:
E government public services
Transforming Public Administration with libre software
Inclusion & Development
Interoperability and open standards issues
Value added free software/open source business models
Security issues
Education
Research & Development models
Related Themes
Patent, copyright, licences
Libre software benefits for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
e-learning
the GRID and libre software
Regulation & legislation in eGovernment technology
http://www.egovos.org/nov2003/index.html