Peter Suber - Google+ - SURF recommends a spectrum of openness to the EU, including…

The chief academic IT agency in the Netherlands, SURF (Samenwerkende Universitaire Reken Faciliteiten), just released a report commissioned by the European Commission. From the SURF press release: "SURF, after mapping out the ‘open’ landscape by order of the European Commission, has issued a recommendation stating that Europe must develop a broad policy framework in order to realise the full potential of the openness of higher-education and research results....SURF is calling on the European Commission to draw up a policy framework for open access to content and infrastructure. These conditions will enable an open environment to further develop autonomously. Open Access to higher education and research results will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the higher education and research system."  http://www.surf.nl/en/actueel/Pages/%E2%80%98Open%E2%80%99asastandardforhighereducationandresearch.aspx From the e-InfraNet project's press release: "In its broadest sense, ‘Open’ encompasses: [1] open access to research literature; [2] open data; [3] open educational resources; [4] open infrastructure and open standards; [5] open source software and open development; [6] open education; [7] open peer review; [8] open research; and [9] open innovation. European opinion leaders and experts examined the context, motivations, developments and results of each of the ‘Opens’, revealing a collection of joint benefits and issues. Their study resulted in the recommendation for a coordinated policy approach, able to benefit all forms of ‘Open’...." http://www.surf.nl/en/publicaties/Pages/e-InfranetOpenreport.aspx From the report summary: "The Policy Document is the result of work carried out since October 2011 in the e-InfraNet project’s focus area on Open. It’s based on input from two questionnaires, three workshops, and the expertise of the members of the Think Tank that was established in April 2012 to compose the document. In an effort to deal with the current fragmentation in policy development on open e-InfraNet has opted for a broad approach to the subject and the practical application of different ‘open approaches’. This broad approach is a first in the field and will hopefully trigger dialogue between the different stakeholders involved —and the associated Research and Development (R&D)— along with the acceptance that a multifaceted approach to open is necessary to develop it further." http://e-infranet.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Summary-of-the-e-InfraNet-Open-Policy-Document-e-InfraNet-Open-as-the-Default-Modus-Operandi-for-Research-and-Higher-Education.pdf The report itself http://e-infranet.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/e-InfraNet-Open-as-the-Default-Modus-Operandi-for-Research-and-Higher-Education.pdf Also see the home page of the e-InfraNet project, whose "goal [is] to build a network that will develop and strengthen cooperation and coordination between national e-infrastructures and smooth their efficient integration in the European Research Area....Focus Areas: [1] Cloud Computing...[2] Environmental and Green Computing...[3] Openness — Open Access, Open Source, Open Borders and Open Opportunity.... http://e-infranet.eu/