The United Nations recently organized the OSPOs for Good symposium in New York “for championing OSPOs (Open Source Program Offices) as a global network for good.” While the 2023 event was a one-day informal gathering, this year's symposium saw an expanded agenda, focusing on how OSPOs are “enabling new forms of global cooperation around open source for good in countries.”
The Linux Foundation was invited to be part of the communications committee at the 2024 event, and Hilary Carter, SVP of Research and Communications at the Linux Foundation, served as the primary liaison on this committee. Several leaders from the Foundation also shared their insights at the event.. In this interview, Carter talks about how governments and entities, including the United Nations, are recognizing the pivotal role of open source in fostering sustainable innovation, developing trusted and secure technologies, and building open communities that enhance collaboration across borders and industries.
Carter highlights the growing interest of the United Nations in open source, particularly its potential to drive sustainable innovation and address global challenges such as climate change. Carter also touches on the current trends in the technology sector, emphasizing the need for diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Furthermore, Carter stresses the importance of considering security in job roles beyond just security titles, underscoring the value of diverse perspectives in creating better software and achieving superior outcomes.
