Quotes

The action of April is crucial for the development of the Free Software ecosystem, ecosystem on which depends the development of Easyneuf. Our joining of April will help us better understand this environment and its legal and economic context. It is a token of our civic and responsible attitude.

April is not just an association that defends Free Software; such a statement would leave aside its unbelievable efficiency, which is the result of a rigorous and unfailing aspiration in the daily struggle and promotion. April has become the leading Free-related association in France. But this would ignore the work done in its entirety in a society beset by influential actions of all sides; this would ignore the fight for the freedom of each and every one.

Since the 80's, it is a commonplace to say that the "digital revolution" has profoundly affected human societies. But the fascination with the technical power should never make us lose sight of the ambivalence of technology itself: technology is only worth what for and by whom it is used. Technical progress is only worth something thanks to humankind. And this is April's great merit: not to promote technology for the sake of technology but to promote the development of Free Software aiming for a society defending cooperation and humanistic values.

Representative of the Free Software ecosystem, composed of 2.500 users, companies and institutional players, April fulfills with dynamism its mission of promotion and defense of Free Software in France. Its campaign activities, its participation in numerous work-groups or its evangelization make of April a citizen player to serve the community and businesses. Its positions on political issues dealing with the Free-Software-related economy are essential for the survival and development of our society.

For over 10 years, April has been working on raising the awareness of the public, professionals and politicians about the fact that freedom exists in the field of computing. It is even a societal issue. Defending Free Software also means defending the rights of citizens and small businesses who cannot afford expensive proprietary computing. By playing the role of watchdog, April defends a European vision of a knowledge-based culture: Free computer code.

April is the French reference association for the defense of Free Software in all its ethical dimensions. April is at the forefront to bring its informed perspective and create greater awareness on all issues where computer freedoms are threatened. But the association also plays a leading role when facing political decision-makers to show them that their mission - the satisfaction of public interest - should necessarily rely on the widespread use of Free Software.

For years, April has played a key role in raising awareness on the political issues related to Free Software amongst Internet activists. Thanks to April, Free Software has become a fundamental pillar of a reflection and a broader action on the information commons. More broadly, April's active commitment and tenacity count for much in the consideration of the freedom issue in such varied areas as local authorities, the research community and in some industries.

Free software has become a fundamental tool for ensuring the security of computer systems, data independence, network interoperability and user training. This major success is attracting more and more public administrations, businesses and all citizens concerned in avoiding the control of their privacy and their collective activities around information and knowledge. This worldwide success is due to the perseverance of a few players since the establishment of the Free Software Foundation in 1984 by Richard M. Stallman.

There are so many reasons that have led us to conclude that our "Lutece d'Or" had to be awarded to April: I could mention its involvement towards a free digital economy, whether in the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie or in the digital technology festival, but also its contribution to the democratic debate, especially regarding national and local elections, the work of the Forum of the Rights on the Internet or in the debate regarding copyright, I could also mention its support to the consumers' right to have real choices ...

April showed over the last years its ability to promote Free Software by setting forth the important issues. Beyond the inevitable differences with other players in the Free Software ecosystem, April has shown a remarkable commitment and sense of pedagogy. This "Grand Jury" prize reflects April's approach in promoting Free Software.