Cloning OPSI across Europe
The Director of the UK Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) Carol Tullo presented the opening plenary session of the conference titled: Unlocking the Potential of Public Sector Information. The presentation titled: Where are we now? Charting Success and Navigating the Challenges provided a very succinct summary of the achievements of the OPSI with respect to leading the Re-use of Public Sector Information agenda forward within the UK.
The presentation and the UK PSI timeline clearly show that the tempo is on the increase on the PSI Journey within the UK. The Challenges were stated as:
- The different PSI trading models across the public sector
- The debate over the definition of Public Task – ambiguity and lack of clarity
- No obligation in the Directive2003/98/EC – Directive and PSI Regulations are not mandatory
- Resources for OPSI
- Awareness and impact – benefit to UK economy and the potential value of PSI is significant
- Pricing structure – broad charging framework in PSI Regulations
The Conference Chair Professor Richard Susskind in his opening remarks also referred to unfinished business, which included:
- The value and Impact of PSI
- The setting of priorities
- The impact of technical developments
- The PSI Charging policy
and that the PSI re-use agenda was very broad as it touched on a wide range of areas and as such was quoted as “Hard stuff!”
Towards the end of the Conference there were a number of Lightening Talks one of which was given by the European Commission lead on the PSI re-use Directive, Mr Javier Herandez-Ros, Head of the Digital Libraries and Public Sector Information Unit. A number of key messages were made which included amongst others:
- Optimise the value of the information across the WHOLE of the value chain.
- The information belongs to EVERYONE.
- Recognise and facilitate the MULTIPLIER effect – do not do the work others can and are able to do.
- Leave room for the value chain to FUNCTION.
- CONCENTRATE on your core task.
- Exclusive arrangements must be phased out by the 31 December 2008 as required by the Directive.
- Member States can do much more for example ensuring SANCTIONS are effective, making it MANDATORY that public sector information is available for re-use.
In conclusion the UK was complemented on its PSI Re-use achievements and urged all present to maintain the momentum. The UK is a fine example and cloning OPSI for other European Member States is the way to go and perhaps OPSI should enter the export market!
The conference was held in London on the 14 October 2008 and was attended by over 70 plus senior PSI stakeholders from across the UK, Europe, Australia and the ePSIplus Thematic Network.
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