From: Kathleen Shearer <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thu, 7 May 2015 09:27:59 -0400

Sorry for the cross posting

Communiqué: International repository networks reinforce their aim to
develop a global, open access knowledge commons

May 7, 2015: For a second year in a row, major open access repository
networks have met to develop closer ties and further align their
expanding repository networks. The meeting, organized by the
Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR), was held on April
16, 2015 in Porto, Portugal and included representatives from Africa,
Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. Amidst the
intensifying global debate about the most sustainable ways to
implement open access and research infrastructures, meeting
participants reinforced their aim to foster solutions that reflect the
diversity of approaches and capacities across different regions.

Repository networks are being developed around the world to support
open access to research outputs. However, given the truly
international and collaborative nature of research, these networks
must be connected and aligned around issues such as policy, standards
and services. At the meeting, delegates shared updates about their
local networks. Many networks have evolved significantly over the last
year and are now in a better position to collaborate more deeply. The
group also reviewed the progress of the aligning repository networks
activities since their meeting last year. Specific outcomes from the
previous year’s work include the publication of a joint statement
against embargo periods, the launch of a technical working group
seeking to harmonize open access elements and metadata schemas, and
improved visibility of repository networks worldwide.

Participants also discussed priorities for further aligning their
networks for the coming year. Activities will include closer
cooperation around the development of guidelines and tools, and
several bilateral collaborations between networks were suggested. In
addition, it was agreed that a communication strategy be developed to
continue to raise the visibility of repository networks as key
infrastructure components. Support was also expressed for further
engaging with policy makers and other stakeholders to ensure adoption
of balanced open access policies.

COAR will work with the community to accomplish these activities in
the coming year. A full list of participants and a report about the
meeting will be available soon on the COAR website.

For more information, contact Kathleen Shearer, Executive Director,
COAR ([log in to unmask])