Written declaration on the use of open source software

WRITTEN DECLARATION 0046/2008
pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure
Lapse date: 25.9.2008

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. having regard to the growing disparities in access to information and communication technologies in the European Union, reflected in the establishment of a digital divide, a new cause of social disparity which further excludes an already vulnerable population,

B. whereas these new technologies have become an essential tool in areas as varied as employment, education, information etc.,

C. whereas European citizens have the inalienable right freely to access documents and information from the institutions which represent them,

D. whereas the use of open source software is one of the effective ways of reducing this digital divide and whereas this solution, established by some Member States in their administrations, delivers significant results,

1. Calls on the European Union to take the necessary measures to help finance public research on open source software;

2. Calls for Parliament to switch its whole computer network to this type of software;

3. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the parliaments of the Member States, the Council and the Commission, so that they may join forces on this measure.