Rencontres Mondiales du Logiciel Libre – A tradition of excellence
Our mission
RMLL (Rencontres Mondiales du Logiciel Libre) represents the most important community event dedicated to free software in France. Our mission is to promote the values of digital freedom, facilitate knowledge exchange, and strengthen the global free software community.
The event serves as a bridge between different sectors of society, bringing together technical experts, educators, policymakers, artists, and citizens who share a common vision for technology that serves human needs rather than corporate interests.
Our vision
We believe in a digital world based on the principles of freedom, transparency, collaboration, and innovation. Freedom means the right to use, study, modify, and distribute software without restrictions. Transparency involves access to source code and development processes, enabling users to understand and verify the tools they depend on.
Collaboration represents the power of community-driven development and open exchange of ideas, while innovation emerges from creative freedom and unrestricted access to technology. These principles form the foundation of a more equitable and sustainable digital future.
Why free software matters
Free software is not just about technology – it’s about fundamental values that shape digital society. By promoting these principles, we contribute to technological independence through reducing dependence on proprietary solutions and promoting digital sovereignty for individuals and organizations.
Open education becomes possible when we facilitate access to quality technological education for everyone, regardless of resources. Collaborative innovation demonstrates the power of community development and open innovation, often producing superior results to closed, proprietary alternatives.
Transparency and security are enhanced through verifiable and secure solutions enabled by access to source code, allowing independent audits and community oversight that builds trust and reliability.
Characteristics of RMLL 2018
Transdisciplinary festival RMLL doesn’t address only programmers. Our event brings together designers, educators, digital activists, students, researchers, and anyone who shares a passion for free technology. This diversity of perspectives enriches discussions and creates unexpected collaborations.
The transdisciplinary approach recognizes that technology impacts all aspects of society, from education and governance to art and social justice. By including voices from different fields, we ensure that free software development considers diverse needs and use cases.
Non-commercial atmosphere We maintain the community and educational character of the event, offering a space dedicated exclusively to knowledge exchange, without commercial pressures. This creates an environment where participants can focus on learning, sharing, and collaborating without the distractions of marketing or sales pitches.
The non-commercial nature allows for honest discussions about both the benefits and challenges of free software, fostering realistic expectations and practical solutions rather than promotional hype.
Open to everyone Regardless of technical experience level, at RMLL you’ll find relevant content and welcoming communities. Beginners can access introductory workshops and mentoring opportunities, while experts can engage in advanced technical discussions and contribute their knowledge to help others.
This inclusive approach ensures that the free software community continues to grow and diversify, bringing in fresh perspectives and new contributors who will shape the future of open technology.
Community impact
RMLL 2018 continues the tradition of being the main meeting point for free software communities across Europe, a launch platform for innovative projects, a training space for the new generation of contributors, and a catalyst for lasting international collaborations.
The event creates ripple effects that extend far beyond the six days in Strasbourg. Partnerships formed at RMLL often lead to ongoing collaborations, new projects emerge from chance encounters, and attendees return to their communities with new knowledge and renewed enthusiasm for free software principles.
Strasbourg – The perfect city
The choice of Strasbourg as host for RMLL 2018 is not coincidental. The city symbolizes unity in diversity, European values, and the spirit of international collaboration – exactly what the free software community represents.
Strasbourg’s history as a crossroads of cultures mirrors the free software movement’s role in bringing together diverse communities around shared values. The city’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights aligns perfectly with the philosophical foundations of free software.
The University of Strasbourg, a prestigious institution with a remarkable academic tradition, provides the ideal setting for this event dedicated to open knowledge and collaborative innovation. The university’s commitment to research excellence and public service reflects the values that drive the free software community.
The academic environment reinforces the educational mission of RMLL, emphasizing learning, critical thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge for the benefit of society rather than private gain.
RMLL 2018 is more than an event – it’s a celebration of the values that define the future of free technology.