The Open Data Institute (ODI), a UK nonprofit set up by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Nigel Shadbolt to push the social and economic value of open data, today signed a Letter of Intent with Taiwan’s Open Data Alliance (ODA).
The partnership will see the two organisations promote and explore the potential that open data holds for the public, private and academic sectors in both countries.
The Letter was signed by Shadbolt, who acts as chairman of the ODI, and the ODA’s chairman Peng Chi-Ming, at a high-level open-data forum in Taipei.
The agreement will see the ODI and ODA collaborate on a range of potential activities, including addressing areas of common interest around policy, laws and regulations, case studies, technologies and standards.
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The two organisations will also share expertise, knowledge and best practice; carry out collaborative projects; design support and collaboration systems for open-data driven businesses; and develop open-data technologies
“At the ODI we believe in the power of open data as a major factor in promoting open government, growing a data driven economy, and tackling critical social and environmental issues that affect us all,” Shadbolt said.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with the Open Data Alliance, who share these values, on a range of open data projects and activities.”
The ODI is also forging partnerships across the world through its membership programme, and Shadbolt welcomed companies from Taiwan’s strong ICT industry to join.
Taiwan’s ICT Minister Chang San-Cheng was also at the forum. He said open data can improve the transparency of government and improve citizen participation, which is needed in Taiwan to resolve all kinds of environment and economy issues.
“Open data can help Taiwan not only to be seen by the world, but also unlock potential economic value and enable Taiwan companies to go global,” he added. “The UK’s Open Data Institute is well respected in the open-data arena, and Taiwan can learn from its example.
“I am glad to have a partner like the ODI with whom we can promote open data, and we expect to have more interaction that benefits each other in the future.”
