http://igniteathens.gr/igniters/pitchers/
Yannis Mavraganis
software for the public by the public
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The idea is this: an initiative for volunteers, mainly unemployed knowledge workers, to develop open source software that improves public services, using agile and lean management methodologies.
Our civilization runs on software. Public services run on software and as we all know better public services is the key to economic development. Due to current financial crisis the Government cannot find resources to improve its public services. Also, nowadays there exist many unemployed knowledge workers, at their majority young people just after graduation, who stay inactive for long periods of time. We must give them the opportunity to stay productive, apply their knowledge, learn to collaborate and at the same time exploit this unutilized human capital for social good.
We propose that a portion of government projects must no longer be closed projects. They must be developed, based on the successful open source model, by mass collaboration of volunteers. The tools and methodologies already exist. Projects such as Linux, Apache and Wikipedia have demonstrated that many individuals who work together for a common cause without direct monetary compensation can produce very complex and useful systems.
If this idea succeeds it will be a win-win situation for all actors involved. Government will get applications for free to transform itself. Unemployed knowledge workers, especially programmers, will have the opportunity to practice their knowledge, gain real experience and stay competitive. All citizens can contribute by providing administrative or coordination support, donating money or by participating in the service design process. Let's turn the financial crisis into an opportunity to learn to collaborate, improve our life by improving public services and help unemployed people to work for social good until they find a job.
Το οποίο ταιριάζει πολύ με το όραμά μας νομίζω.