The conference will assemble policy makers, scholars, practitioners, civil society and IT enterprises' representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to conceptualize the principles for 'software for the public sector' and as a part of this, discuss the challenges and possibilities in adopting Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in the public sector on a large scale, particularly in schools programs.

Debates will be based on the concept that the architecture and design of software for public sector must be determined by principles of social justice and equity, universal access to resources, the need to produce public goods, transparency, accountability, and participation. Sessions will address issues such as the popular perception about the use of FOSS, the demand to work in local languages, the inclusion of persons with disability as part of the universal access, the need of a 'Knowledge Society' (knowledge from everyone, to everyone, for everyone), existing and future policies designed and implemented in India, including educational and public health policies.

The event is being co-organized by e-Governance Department, Department of Public Instruction and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Government of Karnataka), Karnataka State Knowledge Commission, ICT for Development Community/ Solution Exchange, UNESCO and IT for Change with support from UNESCO, European Union (EU), HIVOS and IDRC.