OSC Launches GreSIS Digital Platform to Democratize Access to Knowledge Across the Global South

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC), Sheikh Manssour Bin Mussallam, inaugurated the Greater South Information System (GreSIS) digital platform today at a ceremony hosted at the Ethiopian Science Museum in Addis Ababa.

This momentous event marked a significant step forward in making knowledge more accessible across the Global South. 

Dr Bayissa Bedada, the State Minister of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia, along with officials from Member States, representatives of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ambassadors of Member States of the OSC, educational institutions, civil society organisations, development agencies, intergovernmental agencies, researchers, instructors, and students, graced the occasion.

GreSIS represents a pioneering digital platform, designed to serve as an open-access repository of academic and indigenous knowledge. Developed by the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC), GreSIS aims to democratise access to knowledge in the Global South, fostering collaboration among educational institutions, researchers, instructors, students, government officials, and Indigenous peoples' organisations.

The launch event provided an opportunity to introduce the GreSIS platform to Member States, Associate Members, and other stakeholders. A demonstration session highlighted the platform's features, capabilities, and benefits, showcasing its extensive collection of publications from various sources, including academic, non-academic, and indigenous knowledge. 

With plans for exponential growth, GreSIS will soon host hundreds of thousands of publications, accessible to subscribed individuals, institutions, and entities.

Established on 29 January 2020 during the International Summit on Balanced and Inclusive Education in the Republic of Djibouti, the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC) serves as an intergovernmental body representing and supporting the Global South.

As a proponent of the "Third Way of Development," the OSC fosters intellectual, technical, and financial cooperation and solidarity among its Member States and Associate Members.