Open Access

The Alexandre de Gusmão Foundation (FUNAG), committed to strengthening broad access to knowledge in international relations, foreign policy, and diplomatic history, has, for more than 20 years, promoted the unrestricted dissemination of knowledge through its Digital Library, guided by a democratic and strategic vision. This practice aligns with the Open Access Movement and, since 2020, with Open Science policy global initiatives that converge with FUNAG’s purpose of providing free and open scientific content. 

The principles of the Open Access Movement (OA) were consolidated through the Budapest Declaration (2002)¹, the Bethesda Statement on Open Access Publishing (2003)², and the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities (2003)³. These declarations propose promoting open, free, and unrestricted access to scientific literature, while respecting copyright and defining usage permissions, based on the principle that knowledge generated by researchers and funded primarily by public resources should be widely shared with society.

In the same direction, Open Science incorporates the commitment to “collaborative practices for science and technology,” as defined in Brazil’s National Action Plan within the Open Government Partnership (OGP), initiated in 2011. Its purpose is to implement actions that transform how public-interest issues are addressed, modernize the State, and enhance democracy. It represents a more collaborative, transparent, and sustainable way of conducting science. It promotes the sharing of data and information among the scientific community across different countries, in a digital format without borders or financial or access barriers, in order to foster discoveries and drive innovation. 

In recognition of the importance of access to information, in October 2019, the 74th United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). The aim of this day is to raise awareness about the need to expand access-to-information laws and policies and ensure their effective implementation. 

By adopting Open Access policies, governments, academic institutions, research organizations, and scientists democratize information, encourage collaboration, and accelerate scientific progress. Thus, by establishing the broad dissemination of knowledge as a strategic mission, FUNAG renews its commitment to strengthening Open Access policies.

FUNAG’s bibliographic and audiovisual content is available in its Digital Library and on its digital platforms, access and share knowledge on international relations, foreign policy, and diplomatic history.