International Open Access Week focuses on the cost of knowledge

International Open Access Week is being observed globally with the theme “The Cost of Knowledge.” The initiative aims to address the financial, human, and environmental costs associated with creating and sharing knowledge, particularly when driven by private interests rather than public ones.

Discussions are centered on advancing community-supported models, such as Diamond Open Access, and moving toward systems that prioritize the common good and human understanding. Organizations and academic institutions are hosting various webinars, workshops, and displays to foster dialogue on open data principles, research visibility, and the impact of commercialization on knowledge accessibility.