One of the key proponents of open source software within the South African government, the department of science and technology is joining in this year’s Software Freedom Day celebrations with a dedicated programme on OSS during its Insite show this week.

The South African minister of public service and administration on Monday addressed the opening of the Idlelo 3 free software conference in Dakar Senegal, saying software patents posed a considerable threat to the growth of the African software sector.

On the occassion of Software Freedom Day (SFD) 2008, one of the three winners of the SFD 2007 Best Event competition, the FOSS Nepal community has issued "Kathmandu Declaration", that was signed by over 700 professionals, students and other FOSS enthusiasts, amidst the presence of Nepal's Minister of Science and Technology, journalists and government officials.

Howdy, something a little different for you today but I had to share this. As you may have read in previous posts I've been producing a podcast called the Software Freedom Law Show for the Software Freedom Law Center in New York.

"The international celebration of Software Freedom Day will come to Greenville, SC on Saturday, 15 September 2007. The Upstate Carolina Linux Users Group is sponsoring an all-day event with open source software demonstrations, instruction, and freebies..."

Last week, India’s Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal spoke of the possibilities for a $35 tablet for Indian students. In response, Nicholas [Negroponte] published the open letter below in the Times of India.

Open standards are critical in ensuring that the South African government both avoids vendor lock-in and promotes democracy. This is according to South Africa’s minister of home affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

"Today, Norway’s Minister of Government Administration and Reform, Heidi Grande Røys, launched a new book, edited by the Minister, about sharing and the social side of computer networks..."

In an unexpected move, new Minister of Information and Communication Technology Marwan Juma met with Microsoft representatives in his office as he asked about the benefits of renewing Microsoft licenses in Jordan's government and public administration, stopping by this the former minister's intention to re-sign a multi-million agreement with the company