Big News for Open Source—From the UN to the OSI new directors

Members Newsletter – April 2025

We’re thrilled to share that the Open Source Initiative (OSI) is the first organization to officially endorse the United Nations Open Source Principles! These eight principles lay out a strong foundation for open, secure, and inclusive digital collaboration across the globe—and we’re in good company. Seventeen organizations (and counting), including The Linux Foundation, Eclipse Foundation, and The Document Foundation, have signed on to help move this vision forward. You can add your organization’s endorsement here.

Even better? You can be part of it in person. UN Open Source Week 2025 is happening June 16–20 in New York, and it promises to be a hands-on, high-energy gathering of developers, policymakers, and community leaders working on open source for global good. Sign up here to get more information.

Closer to home, we’ve wrapped up our 2025 board renewal process and are excited to welcome three directors who bring serious credentials and passion for the mission. Ruth Suehle brings deep experience in OSPO leadership and community building, McCoy Smith adds decades of Open Source legal insight, and Carlo Piana returns with a long track record of digital rights advocacy. They’ll officially join the board’s new term at our April meeting.

Thanks for being part of this journey—big things ahead!

Stefano Maffulli

Executive Director, OSI 

I hold weekly office hours on Fridays with OSI members: book time if you want to chat about OSI’s activities, if you want to volunteer or have suggestions.

News from the OSI

The OSI endorses the United Nations Open Source Principles

The United Nations Open Source United community and the Open Source Initiative (OSI) today announced that the OSI has become the first organization to officially endorse the UN Open Source Principles.

Other highlights

OSI in the news

‘Open’ model licenses often carry concerning restrictions

Article from TechCrunch

The current landscape of AI model licensing is riddled with confusion, restrictive terms, and misleading claims of openness. Instead of redefining ‘open’ to suit corporate interests, the AI industry should align with established open source principles to create a truly open ecosystem.

Other highlights

Video and podcast

Certified Open Source Developer for Enterprise

The TODO Group, the Open Source Initiative and Linux Foundation Education have launched the Certified Open Source Developer for Enterprise (CODE) certification. Use redemption code: CODE.Launch25

Other news

News from OSI affiliates

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