Today, governments and corporations are using data to create knowledge about our world, and make decisions about our future. With the revolution and use of technology, the way we pursue the world is rapidly changing. Never before has so much data been collected and analysed. Never before have we had the ability to freely, easily and quickly share information across the globe. But who should control this data and the ability to find insights and make decisions? The many, or the few? This is a choice that we get to make. The future is up for grabs. Do we want to live in a world where access to knowledge is “closed”, and the power and understanding it brings is controlled by the few? Or, do we choose a world where knowledge is “open” and we are all empowered to make informed choices about our future? Here at Open Knowledge Nepal, we believe that knowledge should be open, and that everyone – citizens, scientists, entrepreneurs, activists – should have access to the information they need to understand and shape the world around them.
Open Knowledge Nepal has played a pioneering role in creating and driving forward open data and open knowledge in Nepal. We have encouraged and supported governments, civil societies and researchers to make their data open. We have empowered people the use, benefits, and impacts of open data and turn it into insight and knowledge, giving people access to the information they need to understand and shape the world around them. Where people needed skills, we trained them. Where people needed tools, we made them. Where people needed support and leadership, we provided it.