"OSOR Turns 15" – The Commission’s Conference on Open Source in the Public Sector

Join us on 21 November in Brussels to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the European Commission’s Open Source Observatory (OSOR). The conference “OSOR Turns 15: From Pioneering to Mainstreaming Open Technologies in Public Services” will gather movers and shakers of open source in public services including public officials from around the EU, businesses, organisations, researchers, developers, and groups that collectively make up the diverse OSOR community.

Registration: https://osorturns15.eu/

A Spotlight on Keynote Speaker Francesca Bria 

At the forefront of the event stands the keynote speaker, Francesca Bria. She is the former President of the Italian National Innovation Fund. Previously, as the Chief Digital Technology and Innovation Officer for the City of Barcelona, Bria led the smart city agenda and co-founded the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights.  

An influential innovation economist and information technologist, she imparts her wisdom at several esteemed universities. Her roles have seen her consulting for the United Nations and the European Commission. She's an Honorary Professor at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at UCL, London, and is actively involved in the High-level Roundtable for the New European Bauhaus, an initiative by EC President Ursula von der Leyen.  

Morning Insights: From Opening to High-Level Discussions  
Kickstarting the morning sessions, the European Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn sets the tone with his opening address, followed by an introductory speech from Veronika Gaffey, Director-General for Digital Services. Esteemed panelists for the morning discussions include Alexandra Van Huffelen, Minister for Digitalisation, Netherlands; Amandeep Gill, UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology; Bozhidar Bozhanov, Member of the Bulgarian parliament, and several others. Maximilian Strotmann, a member of the Hahn Cabinet, will be moderating, ensuring an engaging discussion.  

Afternoon Collaborations and Recognitions  
Post a networking lunch, the afternoon brings discussions on the collaboration on Open Source for a more Interoperable Europe. It will start with the presentation of the findings from a recent study on Open Sources Programme Offices in the European public sector. Diverse voices, including Nejia Lanouar, City of Paris CIO , Clare Dillon, Researcher at Lero, and Nils Masuch, Policy Officer at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community in Germany, will share their perspectives. 

Celebrating the 15-year journey of OSOR and the role of open source in supporting cities and regions will be another point in focus. The day culminates with a spotlight on projects nominated for the OSOR Awards and the much-awaited award ceremony! 

Wrap-Up and Looking Ahead  
Concluding remarks will be delivered by Natalia Aristimuño Pérez, Director of Digital Enablers and Innovation at DG DIGIT.   Join the event, both in Brussels and online, on 21 November to witness these insightful dialogues and contribute to the future of open source in the European public sector. 

Register here: https://osorturns15.eu/