[Limited to 30 Participants]
Openness is characterized by an emphasis on transparency and free, unrestricted access to knowledge and information, as well as collaborative or cooperative management and decision-making. These ‘open’ characteristics are required for the functioning of an effective online network and are especially beneficial for those operating in the Global South where access to limited resources (both human and other) impacts negatively on the ability of such networks to succeed. Openness is a conceptual asset that in many instances is still not properly understood nor fully implemented to leverage the value and synergies it brings to the many networks involved in building the capacity required for the Global South to take leadership in the knowledge and information economy. As well as financial and human capacity this requires expertise in a range of open practices which can leverage the affordances of networks for collaboration and advocacy.
