Yes, you can! orchestrating policy change in india
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The document discusses efforts to orchestrate policy change in India regarding open standards, particularly the opposition to Microsoft's OOXML as a standard. It highlights strategies such as engaging with bureaucrats and media, resulting in India adopting the ODF standard for e-governance. Key lessons include collaborating with like-minded individuals, leveraging democratic tools, and fostering community support for sustained advocacy efforts.
Yes, you can! orchestrating policy change in india
- 1. Yes, you can! Orchestrating policy change in India Venkatesh Hariharan Director - Knowledge Commons www.osindia.blogspot.com venkyh@gmail.com
- 2. This talk is meant for all Indians who are interested in building a better India by exercising their rights and responsibilities Who is this talk for?
- 3. What are my credentials to give this talk? Former policy head of Red Hat and Google (views expressed are my own) Fought key policy battles like OOXML, open standards and software patents 15 years in journalism, eight years in Public Policy Director of Knowledge Commons Advisory Board member, Software Freedom Law Center
- 4. OOXML and Open Standards as a case study OOXML proposed by Microsoft as a standard at ISO ODF was approved by ISO earlier Microsoft proposed that "multiple standards" are OK Intense lobbying from Microsoft. Kazakhistan, Ivory Coast and other join as new members on the ISO committee Microsoft wins a bitter battle at ISO but loses in India
- 5. How we won India Zero awareness of Open Standards Intensive engagement with bureaucrats, policy makers and the media Politicians and bureaucrats were supportive of Microsoft. Media glare caused them to back off Constantly kept the heat on Microsoft, exposing that they were doing in other countries
- 6. News snippets on OOXML Corrupt countries were more likely to support the OOXML document format http://www.effi.org/blog/kai-2007-09-05.en.html Microsoft "persuades" NGOs to support OOXML http://osindia.blogspot.in/2008/02/microsoft-persuades-ngos-to-support. html OOXML put on hold amid opposition from India http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-06- 13/news/27732185_1_appeals-final-votes-format India throws MS open format out of the window http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-08- 24/news/28434417_1_ooxml-odf-camp-microsoft
- 7. Net results After 18 months of deliberation, India voted against OOXML at ISO India formulated an open standards policy stating that only royalty-free open formats will be used for e-gov ODF is now the approved standard for e- gov in India. OOXML is not Tremendous effort required to implement the policy but FOSS community lacks resources
- 8. Lessons for policy warriors - I Team up with others who have the same mission. You can't do this alone Government is not a monolithic entity. Identify your friends within government and empower them. Isolate your enemies Escalate fearlessly. We went up to the Prime Minister's Office Be a "Customer from hell." Demand better governance. Be relentless. Be ruthless
- 9. Lessons for policy warriors - II Engage with everyone, even your opponents. Many a times, they might just be misguided Democracy is like a muscle. You have to exercise your rights and responsibilities Leverage all the weapons of democracy - Media, judiciary, RTI etc -- for maximum impact
- 10. A practical handbook for change Pick a cause you are passionate about Understand your strengths, and volunteer Understand your weaknesses. Team up with others who complement you Build a community. Leverage social media Change is a marathon, not a sprint Have a healthy disregard for the "impossible."
- 11. Remember Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. Buddha Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. -- John F Kennedy
- 12. What really worked Core group of three determined warriors Fantastic support from the free and open source community
- 13. "Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." -- John F Kennedy