IPT 692R: The governments should contribute to the sustainability of the movements that generate knowledge

The access to information to acquire knowledge and skills is necessary to function adequately in society.

Unfortunately, we do not have all the same opportunities. The arrival of internet democratizes access to this information that in theory can reach everyone, but in practice only comes to those who can have a computer, electricity, broadband connection, ..., which is not the case in large parts of the world.

Sectors sensitive to the issue have tried to improve the situation and working for a different reality. Thanks to the selfless dedication of some people, and donations from others, has introduced a major change in concept and movements have emerged that encourage collaborative work that allow the creation of free software, production of OER's and the adoption new types of licenses.

The dependence on grants, personal efforts and donations can not guarantee continuity of work and project sustainability. The fact that projects as MITOCW, strong economically, are forced to cut spending is a clear example of what can happen, especially in times of economic recession.

Logically, in a free market society, government, businesses and individuals have the ability to finance their own projects and initiatives as they wish, but given that the creation of knowledge and tools necessary we concerns us all: rich and poor, with more or less intellectual ability, regardless of where they reside, ..., should be the administration, especially in rich countries, which allocate a fixed percentage of their budgets for development and promotion of such activities, providing the controls necessary to ensure the quality, the sustainability and the reversal of the achievements of humanity. This would have the advantage of not being incompatible with other forms of financing, of course, equally respectable.