In some parts of the world, geographical data is not free. Inspired by sites like Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap set out to create a free editable map of the world. Initially, information was collected by volunteers using handheld GPS devices and a notebook.

Nas, Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Duncan Sheik among headliners joining in to change the way people think about health, technology and the developing world. Global non-profit IntraHealth International and Grammy Award-winning artist Youssou N'Dour have partnered with Indaba Music to launch a global remix contest. Some of entertainment's biggest stars are lending their talents.

To respond to the desire to continue the conversation started at the Open Innovation for Government event at CSIS on April 14, 2009, the Global Development Commons asked the panelists to answer a few questions. Our goal is to encourage as much two-way communication as possible so please comment and share your responses. 

A million monkeys banging on a typewriter will inevitably string a few phrases together, two of those monkeys will likely type the same phrase as each other. It’s probability.
Sometimes people (groups, companies) just come up with similar ideas.
So I understand that Microsoft’s development team probably weren’t even aware of the location based crisis reporting tool, [...]

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 6th annual global health conference sponsored by a dynamic young group called Unite for Site at Yale University. I spoke on a panel on Saturday afternoon and discussed internet technologies and trends in global health, including examples in data visualization, social networking, community development, and transparency.

Request for Proposals from IT Providers to Develop a Software Application to Support Value Chain Development and Financial Inclusion

Pilot Project in the Ataulfo Mango Value Chain in Chiapas

Thanks to everyone who participated in the live webcast of the event! Your engagement was key to making the event a success and we hope to continue the conversation. If you missed it, you can watch the video here and feel free to leave comments!

Looks like instead of mocking Nancy Scola, we owe her kudos for predicting all the way back in November that Obama's pick for the nation's first Chief Technology Officer would be "someone out of the small but vibrant government CTO world, like Virgi

The U.S. Government and innovation—for many, the two simply do not go together. By necessity, government agencies must play it safe with taxpayers’ money and speak with one voice. Innovators, on the other hand, take risks, welcome dissent, and embrace the lessons of failure.