= Document Freedom Day 2012: Activists around the world celebrate Open Standards =
[Read online: http://fsfe.org/news/2012/news-20120328-02.en.html ]
Free Software advocates worldwide are today celebrating information accessibility and Open Standards. 48 events in 17 countries are using demonstrations, talks and workshops to explain why Open Standards[1]and Free Software are crucial to a free and competitive information society.
1. http://fsfe.org/projects/os/os.en.html
A network of 34 international partner organisations[2]are carrying this message to new audiences, from Cairo to Argentina, Poland to Taiwan, and the European Parliament[3]to Aberystwyth University.
2. http://documentfreedom.org/partners.html 3. http://erikjosefsson.eu/sites/default/files/global_dfd_invite.html
"The growth of support for Document Freedom Day[4]shows growing demand for accessible formats and unprejudiced standards" says Campaign Coordinator Matthias Kirschner. "Citizens, businesses, and politicians alike are calling for adoption of fairer and more compatible international standards". Prizes are being awarded this year by Document Freedom Day teams in Germany[5], Italy[6], Slovakia and Poland[7], to businesses and government offices which have recently adopted Open Standards within their organisations.
4. http://documentfreedom.org 5. http://fsfe.org/news/2012/news-20120328-01.en.html 6. http://www.dfd-arezzo.tk/ 7. http://www.linux.org.pl/news/kontener-na-newsy-i-eventy/document-freedom-%20...
Open Standards are a common language, publicly documented, that computer programs can speak. They are central to interoperability and freedom of choice in technology. Open Standards allow Free Software developers to create programs that can interoperate with other solutions, so users can migrate away from proprietary solutions.
"Fresh support from celebrities like Stephen Fry[8], and major community groups such as Open Rights Group have introduced Open Standards to new groups this year" said Deputy Campaign Coordinator, Sam Tuke. "We are delighted by the response we have received, and the additional political impact Document Freedom Day has achieved".
8. http://documentfreedom.org/testimonials.html#quote-fry
Document Freedom Day 2012 is facilitated by the Free Software Foundation Europe, and supported by campaign patrons[9]Google and Oracle.
9. http://documentfreedom.org/sponsors.en.html
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and involved in many global activities. Access to software determines participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study, modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues, securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues of the FSFE.
== About Document Freedom Day ==
Document Freedom Day (DFD) campaigns to celebrate information accessibility and introduce non-technical audiences to Open Standards. Open Standards are a basic condition for freedom and choice in software; ensuring the freedom to access data, and the freedom to build Free Software to read and write information. Started in 2008, the campaign has resulted in hundreds of events worldwide, and this year will take place on March 28th. This year 28 partners are supporting DFD.
Contact: Matthias Kirschner, Free Software Foundation Europe, Linienstr. 141, 10115 Berlin, t +49-30-27595290, m +49-1577-1780003
press-release-uk@lists.fsfe.org