The Fedora Project is invited to submit a nomination for Fedora Linux to be recognized by the United Nations as a Digital Public Good.
I believe that Fedora Linux meets the criteria to be recognized as a Digital Public Good. You can read more about digital public goods on the Wikipedia page, but they are summarized below:
"We define digital public goods as open source software, open data, open AI models, open standards and open content that adhere to privacy and other applicable best practices, do no harm and are of high relevance for attainment of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."
I believe Fedora Linux supports Goal 9 of the UN's SDGs:
"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."
The context of what "infrastructure" means in a 21st century context is changing. It's not just cars, trains, and planes; it is also fiber lines, bits and bytes. I believe Fedora Linux being recognized as a digital public good is an important step to recognize the role that Fedora Linux plays, in its many forms, as a platform for Open Source innovation.
The ask is completing the DPG nomination form for Fedora Linux.
There is a short version and a long version. The short version is one page, asks mostly basic questions, and you will likely have a follow-up to clarify more details. It may take more time in the long tail. The long version is multiple pages and one will need to block time out to complete it. This should be completed by someone who can officially represent the Fedora Project as an individual.
I can also offer advise and feedback for completing and submitting the application.
Fedora joins the growing registry of Digital Public Goods and gets connected to the mission of the DPG Alliance in promoting DPGs, especially in government, civic tech, and non-profit contexts.
I'm unclear on what the benefits for this might be for us — what does being connected to this mission do for us concretely?
I'm also a little concerned about the obligations that might be connected to "adhere to privacy and other applicable laws and best practices". While obviously we must adhere to laws, we also package a lot of upstream open source software that we are not always able to police for "best practices".
I'll put this on the meeting agenda for Thursday
@bcotton wrote… I'll put this on the meeting agenda for Thursday
Thanks Ben! I'll come ready for this one on Thursday. In the meantime, I'll share some thoughts in reply to @mattdm for all to think on before the meeting.
@mattdm wrote… I'm unclear on what the benefits for this might be for us — what does being connected to this mission do for us concretely?
There are four key benefits, each outlined below:
Nominated projects and DPGs alike can be found on the DPG Registry. As an added bonus, the DPG Registry is partially compiled from, and feeds back into, partner systems like the Catalog of Digital Solutions maintained by the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL). This method of cross-pollination enhances a project’s discoverability and accelerates the likelihood of it being found and adopted by public sector organizations and governments looking for innovative solutions.
Digital public goods have clear documentation, open licenses, and follow standards and best practices that make them easy to adopt. The DPG Alliance supports nominees working to meet these standards with a technical team to navigate which documentation or requirements are needed.
The release notes, installation guide, System Administrator's Guide, and Quick Docs are examples of ways Fedora Linux fits this model of adoptability.
Open Source will be at the core of future international development efforts. As part of the digital transformation unfolding globally, governments and development agencies are re-framing approaches to international development with a focus on creating and adapting Open Source projects.
Nominating a project to become a digital public good signals alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a commitment to making an impact. DPGs are a part of a growing network of projects committed to Open Source principles that also respect privacy, strive to “do no harm”, and help attain the SDGs.
Nominating a project is the first step toward being reviewed against the DPG Standard, and - if passing - confirmed as a digital public good. Becoming a DPG provides exposure to development organizations including UNICEF and members of our communities of practice that look to highlight projects so they can receive the support needed to be adopted by governments globally.
@mattdm wrote… I'm also a little concerned about the obligations that might be connected to "adhere to privacy and other applicable laws and best practices". While obviously we must adhere to laws, we also package a lot of upstream open source software that we are not always able to police for "best practices".
It is OK to put exactly this into the nomination form when answering this question. For context, the minimum requirement is validated in Fedora's Privacy Policy and GDPR compliance.
Discussed in 2021-03-18 meeting.
Three key questions were raised today:
I have circled back on some of these and have answers below for what I have. I am happy to take more questions or doubts.
We tentatively booked some time in the next Council meeting agenda (8 April) to review the most recent comments here, and if there are any clarifications that can be made to improve understanding.
At the encouragement of @bcotton, I also booked the 10 June 2021 video meeting slot along with a colleague of mine, Victor Grau Serrat. Our presentation is titled, Is Fedora Linux the next Digital Public Good?
Is Fedora Linux the next Digital Public Good?
Of course, it would be nice to submit an application as a Digital Public Good before June, and then use the video meeting to go deeper and review confusing points. I think this would make the most value of this session, if Fedora is able to apply by 28 May (to allow review time before the video meeting).
Just for the record, the result from the video meeting was that @jflory7 and I will start the process here. I think this falls under the general "things that are reversible and without apparent downside to just doing should be just done" concept, and it seems like our general response ranged from positive to neutral, we don't need a formal vote at this point.
@mattdm I am coming back from some extended time off. Let me know if I can support you on this! The best thing to do first is to submit an application, and then we can begin the back-and-forth follow-ups that come after that milestone.
@jflory7 Awesome. Do you have time early next week for a work session where we create that application?
I sent an invite for next Monday. If that time slot doesn't work, we can work out the exact day and time over email. :)
@mattdm and I met today to go through the submission form. Fedora Linux is now submitted both as a DPG nominee and full recognition as a Digital Public Good.
GitHub links below for reference:
The submissions are pending review from the Digital Public Goods Alliance. Further feedback or comments will be shared in the GitHub pull requests.
Metadata Update from @mattdm: - Issue close_status updated to: approved - Issue status updated to: Closed (was: Open)
This is done. Announcements pending!
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