Consultation on new CGIAR open access policy
Newsletter date: 11/07/2013
THIS MESSAGE IS SENT ON BEHALF OF JUAN LUCAS RESTREPO, GFAR CHAIR
Dear Colleagues,
As you are aware, GFAR representation on the CGIAR Fund Council provides opportunity to express the perspectives and comments of other stakeholders on issues and documents relating to the CGIAR reform and programs. These discussions take place either virtually or during face to face meetings of the Council.
The Consortium wishes to make more direct use of GFAR as a mechanism for public consultation among all GFAR constituencies, for constructive consultation on Consortium policies and programs. It is important that the views of the Forum’s constituencies effectively inform actions of the Consortium, as was recognized in the recent GFAR Steering Committee meeting in Istanbul.
Making the CGIAR an Open Access organization was one of the commitments made by the Consortium at last year's GCARD2 in Uruguay. A key step in the process is the development and adoption of a set of policies and standards on open access. Open access brings many benefits and can empower change, but also carries some issues as to who can benefit from openly accessible information and how to ensure the intended beneficiaries are indeed able to access, use and benefit from open data or information, whether directly or indirectly.
A CGIAR Open Access Working Group composed of researchers and knowledge managers developed an initial draft earlier this year, which was then shared with the Centers for comments. A new draft has been prepared and the Consortium is seeking to open it up for more feedback, i.e. from the Fund Council, partners, and other stakeholders. They are particularly seeking feedback through the networks and fora brought together in GFAR.
We have now received this draft for your comments.
This is your chance to have your say – please provide your feedback by July 26, either directly or via your representative body, so the GFAR Secretariat can consolidate/aggregate comments electronically to the CGIAR within the deadline set for comments, which ends on July 30, 2013.
With best regards,
Mark Holderness
GFAR Executive Secretary,
