Mission:Libre Has Taken Off (Project by Carmen Maris)
"I've been reaching out to youth organisations outside technology..."
Some months ago in libreplanet-discuss Carmen Maris spoke of a new project she was launching. We mentioned it in passing, but there was little to link to at the time. A month ago she posted this follow-up and in the site she said, "Mission:Libre, a new project for teens in free software, is celebrating its first few months of work. As Mission:Libre keeps growing, I want to hear from the people who're the future of free software: you! This November, Mission:Libre will be hosting a pair of live online meetings for 13 to 17-year-olds where you can discuss your thoughts on free software's future, how Mission:Libre can help you, and what you wish the movement would do."
There's also a logo and a number of pages, including this blog.
"What is free software?" is the subject of this page with a language that targets non-geeks.
Since then it has gotten some more publicity and few short articles explaining the mission.
They use Jitsi (consistency in principles is a positive sign) and here's a summary of recent developments:
Some updates about Mission:Libre: =============================
What I've been working on -------------------------
* I recently published Issue 0 of Libre!, Mission:Libre's magazine. It's available here: https://missionlibre.org/libre-issue-0-september-2025.
* October's Libre! issue is in the works. In that issue, I give introductions to mass surveillance, online privacy and encryption, talk about how to advocate for your own right to use free software, tour free software for artists, guide readers through rock and pop drum beats with LMMS, give 30 days of mini-tutorials for Python, and show readers how to write a toy RSA implementation. It's going to be huge!
* I'm available to help teenagers in small groups and one-to-one. There's more info on what I can do for them here: https://missionlibre.org/happy-to-help.
* I've been reaching out to youth organisations outside technology and preparing to pitch articles to publications read by teens. This will take some time to bear fruit, but I've found some really good opportunities to pursue.
* I'm working on a new website explaining free software to younger teenagers. (This was meant to be ready in September, but I've had to push it out until October)
* I'm planning a series of youth roundtables for November. This will be part online celebration, part opportunity for them to share what they want Mission:Libre's future to be like.
How you can help: ----------------
* If you already have Reddit, Hacker News and/or Facebook accounts, please please post about Mission:Libre there. I don't have accounts on any of those, and for obvious reasons you can't just make one for self-promotion.
* If you're associated with a youth organisation that might be able to help me spread the word about free software and Mission:Libre, please message me for a copy of the pamphlet I've made especially for you. It briefly explains what free software is, what it has to offer teens, what Mission:Libre is and why I can't do this without your help.
* Please consider donating to Mission:Libre at https://missionlibre.org/support-missionlibre. Mission:Libre's annual budget is less than €50,000. Anything you can give will go a long way.
Thank you for being so enthusiastic about Mission:Libre!
- Carmen
So there will be a lot more to report on next month (after the event). █