In January 2006, the Venezuelan Software Libre law went into effect and Venezuela began the process of converting all government-used software to open source. The Software Libre law is the most far-reaching mandate for open source anywhere in the world. Within the next two years, millions of users and hundreds of applications will be migrated to open source including complex enterprises like the government owned oil industry. The law also aims to support a number of social programs and projects aimed at increasing self-sufficiency – computer literacy classes, open source development work cooperatives, computer outreach to marginalized groups.

Hear about the reasons for the law, the kinds of projects already implemented, and forces working for and against the migration to FOSS. Panel members have been involved directly in drafting the law, in implementing it, and in planning for the huge training and code-writing task ahead.