EuroBSDCon 2024

Keynote: Evidence based Policy formation in the EU what Evidence are we Presenting to the EU?
09-21, 11:00–11:45 (Europe/Dublin), Stage End

The EU has been transformative for many of its member states.
The EU has a reputation for lots of documentation, directives rules and regulations. But why are these in place? How are these policies formed, who starts them who edits them who approves them? How do and why should interested parties interact with these initiatives from these authorities?

How is all this relevant to BSD users? be them commercial and non commercial, How is this relevant to BSD developers both professional and vocational? What are the effects on the BSD foundations that co-ordinate the activities of the development community? Finally how all this affects the downstream commercial (beneficiaries) that utilise the genius of BSD code and its associated permissive license in their products / services?

My humble experience is that the EU are open to feedback from even the Smallest of Enterprises. And that constructive engagement with the Folks in Brussels can yield positive results for the citizens and communities such as the BSD Community. As a community we need to have a seat at the table to shape and influence policies that affect the Internet and the Open Source Community so that freedom of thought freedom of expression and freedom of communication can continue to flourish.

CEO and CTO wireless Connect Ltd, Maintainer of the NSH network Shell for OpenBSD.
Is a voluntary representative of Irish SME ISPs on policy matters in Europe and in Ireland. Tom is an advocate for Technical solutions to Technical problems and advocates against the use of Technical solutions to prop up misguided policies be them political or business policies. Tom is a political activist and optimist who believes in the power of patient persuasion the use of facts that are presented in an accessible and easy to comprehend form.

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