Open technologies involve sharing data over the Internet, and all kinds of governments can use them, for all kinds of reasons. Recent public policies have stretched the label “open government” to reach any public sector use of these technologies. Thus, “open government data” might refer to data that makes the government as a whole more open (that is, more transparent). It might equally well refer to politically neutral public sector disclosures that are easy to reuse, but that may have nothing to do with public accountability. Today a government can call itself “open” if it builds the right kind of website — even if it does not become more transparent or accountable.

Open Government, Open Data and Participatory Tools
The World Bank ICT sector is partnering with the World Bank Institute (WBI) in its South-South Experience Exchange Program (program brochure). Our goal is to facilitate South-South cooperation in the ICT area through an exchange of expertise and resources between governments, organizations, and individuals in developing nations.