Blog post by Stephen Wyber
Knowledge Rights 21 Brussels Meetings
Members of the Knowledge Rights 21 (KR21) community gathered in Brussels from 6 to 8 November to engage with partners, share insights, and plan for the upcoming European Commission and Parliament mandates. The objective: to shape policies that support research, education, and access to culture across Europe.
Uniqueness of Knowledge Rights 21
Two of the things that make Knowledge Rights 21 unique are its community of national coordinators and its focus on driving legislative change in Brussels. This focus is coupled with efforts on the ground to encourage policy and behavioural shifts, all aimed at ensuring equitable access to knowledge in a digital age.
Overview of the Brussels Meetings
The series of Brussels meetings, held in coordination with the Building Bridges events organised by Public Libraries 2030, provided an opportunity to connect national library associations with KR21’s mission. This scheduling allowed attendees to maximise their time and impact by fostering collaborative efforts.
Key Themes and Discussions
- Policy Focus at Residence Palace Seminar
The meetings began with a seminar at the Residence Palace, where the agenda for the new European Commission was examined, especially concerning mandates set by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This timing coincided with hearings for incoming Commissioners overseeing research and consumer affairs.
The seminar facilitated discussions with European Commission representatives and key partners on major initiatives, including the European Research Area Act, European Innovation Act, and Digital Fairness Act. Each of these legislative initiatives holds potential to advance KR21’s mission, offering new avenues for research, innovation, and digital rights. - Supporting Research Through Evidence and Policy
On the research front, KR21 highlighted the importance of the evidence base from a recent report by the Directorate-General for Research, Technology, and Development. This report advocates for a Europe-wide Secondary Publication Right and underscores the need for flexible regulations to support cross-border research collaborations and partnerships between research institutions and industry.
Addressing Digital Fairness for Libraries and Cultural Institutions
The session also focused on digital fairness, specifically addressing the gap in legal protections for libraries and other cultural institutions. Unlike individual consumers, these institutions lack safeguards when facing unfair terms in digital content contracts, which can restrict public access to knowledge. Recognizing this challenge, KR21 emphasises the importance of legislative solutions that uphold the rights of educational and cultural institutions.
Achievements and Future Goals
The next two days celebrated successes within KR21’s national networks, recognizing achievements in law reform and network building. Attendees discussed challenges and solutions for library and information users, spanning grassroots mobilisation for open science to the role of top-down legislation in fostering change.
Reflecting on the progress made since KR21’s inception in 2021, participants shared both achievements and lessons learned, identifying common challenges across countries and opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences. The meetings underscored KR21’s commitment to securing access to research, education, and culture that meets the demands of today’s digital environment.
Looking Ahead
As the Commissioners-designate continue their hearings and KR21 national coordinators persist in their efforts, there is substantial work ahead. Knowledge Rights 21 remains dedicated to ensuring that access to knowledge in Europe remains adaptable, equitable, and aligned with digital realities.
13 November 2024
