Alek Tarkowski of Centrum Cyfrowe and Rufus Pollock of the Open Knowledge Foundation opened the OGD Camp this morning in Warsaw. OGD Camp is bring over 300 people from 40 countries together to discuss open government data.

The opening session was a panel with Christian Buhr (EC, working for Commissioner Kroes), Ellen Miller (Sunlight Foundation, USA), David Eaves (open data activist and advisor in Vancouver, Canada)

A video message by EC VP Neelie Kroes underlined the potential and importance of opening up government data for free and wide re-use. She is seeing the participants of the OGD Camp at the forefront of this. "I'm preparing an open data strategy for november." This strategy includes changes to the PSI Driective, moving forward with opening up the PSI within the EC itself, but also spend more time explaining why it is a good investment. Commissioner Kroes said opening up government data is not a big investment if we make everything available and reusable by default. Restriction of access should require explanation, and not making material public. The rewards on that small investment in terms of new economic activity, transparency and citizen engagement are enormous.

Carl-Christian Buhr expanded on the video message, explaining amongst others that waiting for the legislative process can be a long wait, so it's crucial to stay active and pro-active, driving open government data forward.

Also see the posting in Commissioner Kroes' weblog.

Follow #ogdcamp on Twitter to stay informed on what's happening at the conference today and tomorrow.