Open Source and the Open Society: Using PLONE to build community online

In this keynote, Tom Moroz ties together some of the ideas of Karl Popper that underpin the Open Society Institute and the rationale behind the implementation of their Knowledge and Resource Locator (KARL). He will then explain the rationale that made Plone an appropriate choice showing the links between the mission of the open society institute and the open source software movement.

Abstract

NGOs and non-profits have become important actors in both the development of public policy and in deployment of technology for positive social change.  The Open Society Institute (OSI), a private operating and grantmaking foundation, aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media in over 60 countries. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and human rights abuses.  Recently, OSI engaged  Plone and open source systems for a comprehensive knowledge management system to  bolster its operations and support its objectives..

Walk-away point

Attendees at the Plone Conference will see that there is a big, important universe of work being done in the public good, which they are helping via Plone and which they should care about.