Open Knowledge

Definition

The concept of Open Knowledge is built on the idea that most knowledge is a public good which should be "free to access, use, modify, and share".

Open Knowledge & Human Rights

Advocates for open knowledge as societal norm point to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. With some limitations, several universal rights that can partially be interpreted as foundations for the open knowledge concept are granted in the UDHR. These are:

Freedom of Opinion and Expression (Article 19)

• Quote: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
• Relevance: This article directly supports the free flow of information and ideas, which is essential for open knowledge. It underpins the right to access, share, and disseminate knowledge without barriers, aligning with the principles of knowledge as a commons.

Right to Education (Article 26)

• Quote: "Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. ..."

Right to Culture and Science (Article 27)

• Quote: "Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

Open Knowledge & Democracy

Advocates for open knowledge as a societal norm see the concept as a building block of a democratic society, that exists on the foundation of transparency and accountability through freedom of information and the right to know. As such, it is closely tied to the idea of the commons, and it has a foundation in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Others emphasize that open knowledge is a means to

which and a manifestation of as well as a means to democratic principles. 

It underlies many of the approaches and frameworks that seek to establish transparency and accountability as a universal principle in all areas of society, such as Open Science, Open Government, the Right to Know or Open Education, to name but a few.

See also

• Open Movement

• Open Government
• Open Science
• Open Education