If we want to solve the world’s most pressing problems, the knowledge & culture about them must be open.
Creative Commons
On Day 2 of Open Education Week at UTS, Dr Cable Green (Director of Open Knowledge, Creative Commons) put forward a compelling and strong case for open education. He framed open education as a core component of ‘Open Knowledge’ which along with open access, open data, open science and open communities are critical to solving the world’s most pressing problems like climate change.
The case that Cable put forward for open education touched on these key points:
1. It’s the right thing to do
Education is a human right, as articulated in Article 26 of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 makes it a priority to provide inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all.
2. It’s cost effective
The costs of copying and distribution through the internet are close to zero. Educational providers can use the funding previously allocated to licencing traditional textbooks to instead switch to Open Educational Resources (OERs).
3. Creative Common’s licenses balance copyright with permissions
CC licenses “give every person and organisation in the world a free, simple, and standardised way to grant copyright permissions for creative and academic works; ensure proper attribution; and allow others to copy, distribute, and make use of those works” (Creative Commons).
4. OERs can increase equity and quality
Open educational resources (OERs) give educators the flexibility to keep material up to date and relevant. Resources can be freely copied, modified and distributed compared to traditional textbooks which are perpetually outdated.
5. The world is moving to open
Governments, funders and organisations are endorsing and joining international frameworks that support open knowledge. In 2019, 193 UNESCO members, including Australia, unanimously adopted the Recommendations on Open Educational Resources.
If open knowledge is meant to help solve the world’s most pressing problems, then Cable argued we should look no further than climate change. In support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13, Creative Commons, in partnership with SPARC and EIFL have launched the Open Climate Campaign. This multi-year campaign will advocate for open research, data, education and software to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and preserving biodiversity.
Watch Cable Green’s OEW presentation
Enjoy Cable’s compelling presentation and discussion in its entirety.
Access the slides from Cable’s presentation (CC BY licensed).