September 12, 2013
Open Data Plus: proposing an open dialogue
According to the Open Knowledge Foundation, “open data is data that can be freely used, reused and redistributed by anyone.” It involves the publication and sharing of information online in open formats, readable by machines, which may be freely and automatically reused by society. The “plus” of the subject is the consumption of the information. Does open data reache the consumer expectation for services?
Opening data should enable transparency and democratic control; population engagement; citizen empowerment; better or new private services; innovation; improved efficacy and effectiveness of governmental services; assessment of the impact of policies; uncovering new things by combining data sources and standards. Open data initiatives should respond to citizens’ demand for new, prompt, on-time services.
In order to make all the issues above reality, it is necessary to think and to work on the Open Data Ecosystem, which includes many different themes such as: legal, institutional, policy, data quality, data demand, IT, security, data protection, communication, capacity building, etc.
The full comprehension of the Open Data Value Chain proposed by Janet Hughes is important to make this ecosystem works smoothly. It establishes that both primary activities and support activities combined enables economic growth, transparent, responsive, and effective government and innovation. The plus missing is how ordinary citizens are the central axes of this ecosystem.
Some questions must be answered before putting into practice:
Who are the actors of the Open Data Value Chain?
How do the Open Data Stakeholders expand the citizens’ engagement?
How open data is connected to the people’s wish to make their life easier?
How to engage local communities on this matter?
