[ Thanks to n0dez for this link.
]
“A working group has been set up in January 7th, 2002 by APRIL
and FSF France. The original idea is from Pierre Jarillon (ABUL
president). The objective is to have Free Software classified as an
intangible world cultural heritage by the UNESCO.“Why? First you must understand it would benefit to the Free
Software community, but also to humankind as a whole. Free software
is not only about computer science, technique or even licenses. It
deals with freedom, equality and fraternity. Freedom to copy, to
study, to modify and to redistribute software or documentations.
Equality, same rights for every user, without discrimination.
Fraternity, because we talk about sharing and mutual help. Moreover
Free Software is already part of the humankind heritage, in fact.
We are trying to obtain a UNESCO recognition. The previous values
are common to the Free Software community and the UNESCO.“Now let’s see what the community could expect from this
recognition. First a strong support, because the UNESCO is a major
organisation, with an important aura. It could give a major
recognition to Free Software, and a very large diffusion. Sort of
planetary promotion. Finally, it would also bring legal protection
to Free Software (via the UNESCO legal services), against looming
threats…”