Miftaah: free and open source software in the Arab region

• Thematic framework: Cyberspace
• Geographical outreach: Regional
• Types of project: Capacity-building
  
  
• Beneficiary countries:
  - Algeria
  - Libya
  - Morocco
  - Tunisia
  
  
• Main responsible :
  UNESCO
  Jaco du Toit
  35 avenue du 16 novembre, Agdal
  Rabat
  Morocco

Summary of the activities
Software is considered open source when its source code and the basic elements of its design are accessible to all, as opposed to the traditional form of software which is “proprietary”, and whose source code is inaccessible, secret and therefore closed. UNESCO recognizes the importance of the social value of free and open source software (FOSS) and its actions aim at giving the necessary means and autonomy for countries to make their own choice.

In this context the UNESCO Office in Rabat, in co-operation with UNDP/ ICTDAR, is creating the “Miftaah” memory stick, containing not only free and open source software, but also a storage capacity for the user’s personal data. Miftaah also provides a customized and user-friendly interface, ensuring accessibility to this FOSS package in arabic, in english and in french.

Academic institutions represent the focal point of the development of the project because of their commitment to free and autonomous research and their dedication to quality in higher education, in accordance with the fast changes of the needs of society.

Main partners
Algeria: Centre de recherche sur l’information scientifique et technique (CERIST), Alger;
Morocco: École Mohammadia d’Ingénieurs, Rabat;
Palestine: University of Birzeit.