The Kerala capital will play host to a unique two-day international conference that will showcase free software and free content initiatives being undertaken by participa

The conference, beginning May 28, will cover topics like e-governance, bridging the digital divide, education, social justice, legal issues and micro-finance.

The event is being organized by the Society for Promotion of Alternative Computing and Employment (SPACE) with Hipatia, Free Software Foundation of India and Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Kerala.

"This conference will be a starting point for several international initiatives on free software and free knowledge," said Gita Pious, one of the organisers.

"It will explore the possibilities of applying the free software model in addressing broader questions like governance, digital inclusion, development and culture."

Foreign delegations include a four-member Brazilian team led by Antonio Albuquerque of that country's ministry of communication, a 20-member Venezuelan group led by eminent economist and ex-minister Felipe Perez Martì and a three-member team from Italy.