- Create a central directory of all federal data with metadata on content, structure, intended use and data protection and security status.
- Establish a central access portal (“Single Point of Orientation”) for publicly available, current and archived federal data.
- Carry out accompanying publicity and promotional measures to publicize and use the openly accessible databases.
Motion Graf-Litscher (11.3871): Opening up the federal government’s data resources. Open Government Data
Rejected (12.06.2014)
Submitted text
The Federal Council is instructed to implement the following measures:
1. development and publication of a central directory of all federal data holdings with information on content, structure, intended use and legal status regarding data protection and information security;
2. establishing a central access point (portal) to publicly available, up-to-date and archived federal data;
3. accompanying measures to make the openly accessible data resources known to the public and to promote their use.
Justification
The open accessibility and free reuse of public administration databases that are independent of individuals and unobjectionable in terms of security policy (“Open Government Data”) is a concern that is also attracting increasing interest in Switzerland. Openly accessible government data contains a hitherto untapped potential for greater transparency, innovation and cost savings. In its response of June 29, 2011 to my interpellation 11.3358, “Application of the Public Information Act,” the Federal Council states the legal basis on which the Confederation fulfills its information obligations to the public. In addition, reference is made to the pilot project “Single Point of Orientation” of the Swiss Federal Archives, with which a citizen-friendly overview of the documents of the Federal Administration as well as a simple application are realized.
This development is to be welcomed, but more far-reaching measures are necessary. Comparable experience in other countries shows that the economic benefits of openly accessible government data only begin to be felt once centralized access to these databases has been established.
This centralized access – while retaining the decentralized data sovereignty of the individual offices – not only enables content searches across organizational boundaries within the administration, but also facilitates the standardization of the legal and technical framework for the use of the data.
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h1>Statement of the Federal Council
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11.3884, “Open Government Data as a strategic focus in eGovernment”, was addressed. In its statement of 9 November 2011, the Federal Council took this issue into account; it proposed to examine these questions in a report to be drawn up in collaboration with the cantons and municipalities as part of the implementation of the eGovernment strategy in Switzerland. The Federal Council is prepared to include the questions raised by the present motion in this process.
If item 1 of the motion is adopted in the National Council, we therefore propose to amend the motion text as follows:
“Establish and publish a central directory of all federal data holdings with information on content, structure, intended use, and legal status regarding data privacy and information security, unless a preliminary study indicates that implementation would incur disproportionate costs.”
2. the realization of a “Single Point of Orientation” is already a Federal Council goal of 2011. this work is to be continued in 2012.
If point 1 of the motion is accepted, it is certainly appropriate to publicize access to the data by means of suitable measures and to promote the use of the databases.