UNESCO and partners are planning national and regional celebrations in:
Title: Countering online disinformation and hate speech to foster peace
Dates: 21 September 2021 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CET
Format: Online
Description: Celebration of IDUAI: Through the angle of two UNESCO projects funded by the European Union, #CoronavirusFacts and Social Media 4 Peace, this conference will examine pressing global issues of social media content governance to counter online hate speech and disinformation and foster mutual respect and understanding for Peace. The event will further discuss the role of the European Union and the United Nations in setting global standards and the need to act at local level to tackle challenges of disinformation and hate speech in context.
High-level speakers will participate including Věra Jourová (Vice-President, European Commission), Tawfik Jelassi (Assistant DG, Communication & Information, UNESCO), Alice Wairimu Nderitu (Special Adviser, UNOSAPG), Hilde Hardeman (Director, Foreign Policy Instrument, European Commission), and many others.
Contact: Adeline Hulin
Title: Importance of Access to Information for All
Dates: From the 28th September to 3rd October 2021
Place: Cambodia and online event on 1st October 2021
Description: The Communication and Information team in Phnom Penh Office will commemorate the IDUAI 2021 in Cambodia to raise public awareness on the importance of Access to Information in support of Sustainable Development, and to build back better in the post-pandemic. To achieve these objectives, we will run a one-week social media campaign with two main activities:
1. Run a social media campaign for one week starting from 28 September until 03 October 2021. A number of posters promoting the IDUAI using global theme, format and 10 short videos of messages from different relevant stakeholders and line ministries will be posted on UNESCO Phnom Penh Office social media channels every day and cross-posted with other local partners’ social media channels.
2. Produce a 30 to 45 minutes online event in a magazine format on 01 October 2021. It will be a pre-recorded event with different components including Voxpop, feature story, and panel discussion, which will be broadcast on social media channels.
Contact:
Title: Improving access to information and the safety of journalists
Dates: 30 September 2021
Place: Online course - open to the participants of the course
Description: The UNESCO regional office in Costa Rica with the support of the Institute of Access to Public Information (IAIP) in Honduras will be launching the Online Course on Access to Information and Sustainable Development. Through this course public officials and journalists will be sensitized about the importance of access to information and be empowered to monitor the implementation of policies and initiatives to promote and safeguard this fundamental human right. This initiative will be launched within the framework of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and the International Day on Universal Access to Information.
Contact: Jamion Knight
Title: Build back better with access to information
Dates:
Place:
Description: Presentation of the lecture "Build back better with access to information" in the framework of the workshop "Investigative Journalism and Government procurement operations", organized by the Dirección General de Contrataciones Públicas under the Ministry of Finances (Hacienda)
Contact: E. Napoles-Rodriguez
Title:
Organizers: UNESCO and Plataforma Voces del Sur
Dates: October 5, 2021.
Place: a panel of experts from Voces del Sur to discuss the situation of access to information in their countries, as well as to present the new methodology based on SDG 16.10.2 and the new initiative to monitor access to information.
Title: Building Back Better with Access to Information: Commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information in Eastern Africa & Public Online Dialogue on the Status of Access to Information Implementation in Eastern Africa
Dates: 28 September from 10 a.m. (Nairobi)
Place: Online
Description: The sub-regional commemoration undertakes UNESCO’s 2021 IDUAI global theme “The Right to Know – Building Back Better with Access to Information.’’ The aim of IDUAI 2021 Commemoration include:
a) Promoting the adoption and implementation of access to information laws in Eastern Africa to build back better and improve the resilience of society to uncertainty and times of crisis;
b) Strengthening strategies to advance the right of access to information in Eastern Africa;
c) Increasing awareness on the significance of the right to information as a tool to ensure transparency and accountability and public participation in Eastern Africa;
d) Enhancing proactive disclosure of information and responsiveness of government institutions as well as relevant private bodies to requests for information;
e) To engage governments on the establishment and strengthening of mechanisms to facilitate adequate disclosure of timely and accurate information;
f) Highlighting the importance of international cooperation in the field of access to information for the environment, health, and human rights, including by way of international and intergovernmental reporting on access to information laws and its implementation such as state reporting to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
The engagements will bring together relevant stakeholders, including; public institutions, national parliaments, private sector, the media, the academia, civil society organisations, including women, youth-led organisations and the UN system to advocate for the adoption and effective implementation of the right to information laws in Eastern Africa and raise awareness on the significance of the right to information in the realization of Sustainable Development Goals as a whole with specific emphasis on SDG 16.10.2. This intervention is organized within the framework of UNESCO’s contribution towards building knowledge societies through ICTs by enabling universal access to, and preservation of, information and knowledge.
Registration:
a) Public Online Dialogue on the Status of Access to Information Implementation in Eastern Africa, Event: Event Form: Public Online Dialogue on the Status of Access to Information Implementation in Eastern Africa
b) Building Back Better with Access to Information: Commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information in Eastern Africa, Event: Event Form: Building Back Better with Access to Information: Commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information in Eastern Africa
Contact: John Otieno Okande
Title: Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989); A tool to ensure transparency, good governance and sustainable development in leveraging International Corporation
Dates: 28th September, 2021
Place: Swiss Spirit Hotel (Alisa Hotel)
Description: public Forum with panel discussions on the topics RTI Act, 2019 as a tool to ensure transparency, good governance and sustainable development / Implementing RTI – Leveraging international cooperation.
Contact: Executive Secretary, RTI Commission
Title: The right to know: Building better with access to information
Dates: September 28 at 5:00 p.m. (Guatemala time)
Format: Online
Description: Within the framework of IDUAI 2021,the Communication & Information Sector in the UNESCO office in Guatemala in cooperation with the Access to Information unit of the Ombudsman's Office, are organizing the discussion "The right to know: Building better with access to information". We will have the participation of three experts from the country who will talk about the importance of the implementation of the access to information law is and how the government's access to information units are handling the covid situation.
Contact: Jamion Knight
Title: Turkestan province of Kazakhstan: Web Seminar on Access to Information
Dates: 28 September 2021
Place: Turkestan city – online from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.GMT
Description: Celebration of IDUAI: UNESCO Almaty will organize a second webinar on 28 September 2021 for key public authorities of Turkestan Oblast. The event will be held as part of the celebration of International Day for Universal Access to Information jointly with the Ministry of Information and Public Development and focused on the proactive disclosure of information in Turkestan Oblast of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
20 November 2020 the first Webinar on Access to Information for state bodies towards to SDG 16, successfully took place. It helped to key ministries understand UNESCO expectations towards to their ATI obligations, as well as to participate in a voluntary reporting on SDG 16.10.2. The webinar will be in Kazakh and use UNESCO methodology on public access to Information, with the specific focus on standards, suggested scope of the law and mechanisms of enforcement. This webinar will continue UNESCO efforts on improvement citizens' access to information on the municipal level.
Resources:
- From promise to practice: access to information for sustainable development
- Letting the Sun Shine In: Transparency and Accountability in the Digital Age
- Access to information: a new promise for sustainable development
- SDG 16.10.2 UNESCO Survey on Public Access to Information (Institutions)
- Agenda (under development)
For key public authorities of Turkestan Oblast of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Ms Balayeva, Minister of Information and Public Development (MIPD) will participate in the opening together with Krista.
Three key institutions will participate 1. Turkestan Akimat; 2. Environmental agency and 3. Branch of the Ministry of Finance coordinated by the MIPD.
NGO Kazak Tili (Kazak language) will organize synchronous translation and translation of the number of documents, including seven questions for an interactive session.
Title: Virtual roundtable “The Right to Access Information: achievements, challenges and opportunities for monitoring this right at national, regional and international level”
Dates: 28th September 2021, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Uruguay)
Place: On-line from Montevideo, by Zoom
Description: Celebration of IDUAI: The LAC event will contributes to the implementation of on-going/forthcoming initiatives: revision of policy guidelines, scaling up collaboration with RTA, improving participation in VNR processes, ATI training, current regional studies of impact of Covid on ATI, etc. Please, see all the information here.
Link to the Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Hy5xETuVM
Contact: Rosa M. González, Regional Advisor for Communication and Information for LAC
Title: The Importance of the Independence of Access to Information Commissions and Their Role in Implementing the Right
Dates: 28 September 2021
Place: National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco, Rabat, Morocco
Description: As part of the celebration of the International Day of Universal Access to Information 2021, UNESCO will organize in collaboration with the Moroccan Commission for Access to Information a national event on 28 September 2021. The purpose of this event is to highlight the role and responsibilities of the Commission in implementing access to information and to discuss the need for an effective an independent Commission to enable effective monitoring of SDG 16.10.2. The event will also be an opportunity to present the Commission’s annual review and discuss it with stakeholders in Morocco.
Contact: Ming-Kuok LIM and Rim BAJI
Title: Online – Social Media Cards and Virtual Forum
Dates: 25-30 September 2021
Format: Online - Virtual forum
Description: UNESCO Myanmar sees IDUAI 2021 as an opportunity to situate access to information in the context of related issues. For example, access to information as a cornerstone of press freedom; access to accurate information as basis for informed actions and decisions; and data privacy, safety and protection. Six social media cards written in English and Myanmar will be available focusing on local access to information issues: right to access health information; individual responsibilities to access truthful, accurate, complete, and up-to-date information; responsibilities of keepers of public information; and the need for an informed and engaged citizenry to promote and defend democracy.
An online forum on Right to Access Information featuring mainstream and ethnic journalists and a community health worker is scheduled on 28 September convened by UNESCO Myanmar with Freedom Expression Myanmar (FEM).
FEM will present the highlights of its UNESCO IPDC commissioned-study, Secret State of Myanmar which examines the implementation of SDG 16.10 across Myanmar. It highlights the need for government to be more proactive in disclosing information and for public officials to be more accessible and made aware of the right to information. Officials should not be dismissive of public engagement and public demand for information. The study is accessible here.
Contacts: Ramon R. Tuazon and Nu Nu Lwin
Title: ATI regional consultation and awareness campaign
Dates: 15th September to 31st November
Place: Online
Description: Within the framework of the Promotion of right to access to information, UNESCO is supporting the ATI regional consultation and awareness campaign spearheaded by the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology under the facilitation of NATCOM which will run from 15th September to 31st November, in all 14 regions of Namibia.
The main objective of the initiative to review Namibia’s current draft ATI bill and to create awareness on the right to access information in order to accelerate sustainable solutions aimed at reaching the SDG 16 target 10 - as measured by indicator 2, on public access to information - by mobilizing governments as the civil society to take ownership and contribute to the achievement of this sustainable development goal, particularly in regards to building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Contact: Luise Mwanyangapo
Title: The Right to Know – Building Back Better with Access to Information
Dates: 28th September 2021
Format: Islamabad
Description: This year UNESCO and its partners mark IDUAI by taking stock of the existing discourse surrounding the access to information in the country. This will be done by showcasing a short video that will allow stakeholders to identify the opportunities and challenges faced in strengthening access to information in Pakistan. Followed by a panel discussion of expert speakers from civil society, information commissioner and media, the discussion will then allow the audience to engage on issues such as Importance of independence and efficiency of oversight bodies and the judiciary and ways of strengthening these institutions , Right to Know – Building Back Better with Access to Information with focus on public good, building strong institutions , and Relates to the trends of access to information laws in the 21st century, shedding light on importance of institutional capacity development and growing demand for policies aimed to practice proactive disclosure. To gauge the real impact of accessing information or exercising right to information law(s) district/local civil society organizations are being invited to share their stories of publishing news stories through accessing stories.
Contact: Hamza Khan (National Professional Officer)
Title: “The Right to know: Building Back Better with Access to Information” accompanied by a live broadcast
Dates: Tuesday 28th September 2021 @7:00pm “live broadcast” and Round table on Wednesday 29th September 2021
Place: Online
Description: 1. Round table organized at An-Najah University, Nablus in cooperation with the Oslo Metropolitan University and the An-Najah University, supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. Radio episode on a Community Radio “Radio Philistia” . Ms. Hala Tannous from UNESCO will lead the discussion with three University teachers and researchers. The debate will be open to the public and recorded.
Contact: Hala Tannous
Title: Digital solidarity for inclusive access to information
Dates: 27-28 October 2021
Place: Tunis, Tunisia
Description: The celebration of the IDUAI in Senegal takes the form of a two-day workshop with representatives of associations and organizations of persons living with disabilities from the 14 regions of the country. The workshop, organized by the Ministry of culture and communication, with the ADIE (Agence de Développement de l’Informatique de l’Etat) and the Direction de la Bonne Gouvernance, focuses on the issue of access to information and inclusivity in digital era. It seeks to sensitize on the importance of harnessing opportunities offered by digital technology to ensure greater inclusivity for while undertaking actions toward digitalization of public services, national deployment of digital centers, and implementation of the future access to information law.
Contact: Ousseynou Dieng, Director of Communication and Michel Kenmoe, ACI/Dakar
Title: Strengthening the Right to Access to Information in the Universal Periodic Review
Dates: 24 September 2021
Place: Geneva
Description: Celebration of IDUAI: Two panels of 45 minutes each on the following topics: Segment I: Implementing Access to Information policies: best practices and challenges; Segment II: Streamlining Access to Information in the Universal Periodic Review.
Contact:
Title: Implementing access to information law to build back strong institutions in Thailand
Dates: 28 September 2021, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Bangkok time)
Format: online public discussion in English and Thai
Description: In the recent years, right to information in Thailand has dramatically evolved through shrinking democratic space and state of emergency due to political tensions and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite of the country’s adoption of the access to information law, officially known as the Official Information Act, in 1997, the public’s attempts to exercise this right in time of crisis face many challenges. On the occasion of the IDUAI 2021 UNESCO in cooperation with the Office of the Official Information Commission (OIC) and COFACT, a fact-checking civil society network in Thailand, will organize an online public discussion to highlight the role of access to information law and its implementation in Thailand to build back strong institutions for the public good, in particular in times of public health crisis. The webinar will contribute to enhance the capacity of both duty bearers and right holders in Thailand to monitor and advocate for progress towards access information.
Contact: Misako Ito and Sasi-on Kam-on
Title: The Right of Access to Information, a Primary Tool for Oversight and Accountability in the Management of Public Affairs
Dates: 28 September 2021
Place: Tunis, Tunisia
Description: As part of the celebration of the International Day of Universal Access to Information 2021, UNESCO, in collaboration with INAI, SNJT and ARTICLE 19, will organize a national event on 28 September 2021, which aims to strengthen the implementation of the right of access to information, as well as to raise awareness and make accountable the different stakeholders and actors with regard to their roles in the implementation of the law of access to information in Tunisia.
Contact: Neji B’ghouri
Title: International Day for Universal Access to Information for Zimbabwe
Dates: 27 September 2021
Place: Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province Zimbabwe
Description: The Zimbabwe commemoration will be an open public forum led by Ministry of ICT Postal and Courier Services in collaboration with Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and various media and ICT stakeholders, UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa and the National Commission for UNESCO
The commemorations will be a combination of 4 events namely:
-IDUAI commemoration
-Handing over of the first batch of Community Radio Equipment by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services as part of the programme to develop community early warning system for the Cyclone prone area of Zimbabwe.
-Launch of the National IFAP (Information For All Programme) National Committee
-Culmination of the first training for Community Radio Practitioners in Chimanimani.
This event will take place in Chimanimani, Manicaland Province, about 500km outside the country’s capital. The Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Postal and Courier Services and the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and the UNESCO Regional Office Director will officiate at this event.
The event will also host exhibitions from media and ICT stakeholders (Telecommunication Companies, ISPs, Postal Services etc) as well as social and civic organisations are expected to exhibit their products and services and showcase how they are promoting access to information in their respective fields.
Contact: Al-Amin Yusuph
Title: UNESCO Working Group on Information Accessibility (WGIA) Hosts Global Gathering 2nd Annual Artificial Intelligence for Information Accessibility (AI4IA) Conference Highlights the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI)
Dates: 28 September, from 6 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. – Gather town platform
Format: Online conferences
Description: Celebration of IDUAI: The UNESCO Working Group on Information Accessibility (WGIA) is set to host its 2nd Annual Artificial Intelligence for Information Accessibility (AI4IA) Conference bringing together global experts to draw attention to the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). Recognised annually on the 28th of September, this year's themes are “What We Know about our Right to Know” and "The Right to Know - Building Back Better with Access to Information". The theme will highlight the role of access to information laws and their implementation to build back strong institutions for the public good and sustainable development, as well as to strengthen the right to information and international cooperation in the field of implementing this human right.
This year’s event is hosted in collaboration with the Kule Institute for Advanced Studies (KIAS) and the AI for Society (AI4S), both at University of Alberta, Canada, the International Centre for Information Ethics (ICIE), Future Africa at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy (CNED) in ORF, India and the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, all under the auspices of the UNESCO Caribbean Office and the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa.
“This event provides an opportunity for open discourse involving participants from academia, civil society, private sector and government on the critical topic of information accessibility which is so very important in light of information dynamics happening all over the world,” said WGIA Chairman, Cordel Green.
To allow for better global participation, wider reach, and greater inclusivity in the program, the conference will consist of two components, hosted on the “Gather.town” platform, a social platform that creates virtual spaces to bring people together:
- Pre-recorded speaker presentations that will be available for on-demand viewing from 27 September 2021 at 00:00 GMT. These will be available for a limited time on the platform and accessible to all regions of the world.
- Live Salon Discussions will be scheduled for 28 September 2021. These are interactive sessions intended to simulate the informal networking, thought-provoking discussion, and allow speakers and participants to gather on the interactive platform and engage with one another.
“The combination of pre-recorded sessions and live interactive discussions at set times throughout the day was to enable maximum participation from people across the globe giving as many people access to this important information", said AI4IA Conference Chair, Samridhi Arora. "We have also planned a special session with demonstrations dedicated to showcasing accessibility technologies for people with disabilities.”
You can find out more information and register at https://www.i-c-i-e.org/ai4ia.
Contact:
Title: International Right to Know Day 2021 - Media Defence
Dates: Sep 28, 2021 02:00 PM in London
Format: Online
Description: This year, the 6th annual International Right to Know Day falls on Tuesday the 28th September. So, to mark the day, we’ll be hosting a webinar to discuss access to information and open, transparent governance. Our panellists will share their experiences of litigating against the new tactics being used by powerful actors to obstruct newsgathering.
From the US, to Poland, to Brazil, politicians and government officials are frequently blocking journalists on social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook. This despite the fact that they are increasingly using these same social media platforms as their main communication channel to share policy and shape opinion. Given social media’s growing importance, this ‘blocking’ constitutes a worrying trend.
In an even more drastic move, the Nigerian government has now banned Twitter entirely. Following Twitter’s decision to take down a tweet that violated its guidelines, the Nigerian government responded with an indefinite ban.
These are just some examples of the cases we’ll be discussing in our International Right to Know Day webinar. We recognise that powerful actors are using these blocks and bans as yet another tool to clamp down on free speech. Furthermore, by barring critical journalists from accessing information, governments can avoid accountability.
The issue is a relatively recent one, highlighting challenges in a world of new technology. The cases we’ve seen at Media Defence raise important questions about how we ensure the protection of freedom of expression and access to information on new public platforms.
Link to the event: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Title: What We Know about Our Right to Know
Dates: 28 September 2021, 10AM CEST
Format: Online
Description: This theme will highlight the role of access to information laws and their implementation to build back strong institutions for the public good and sustainable development, as well as to strengthen the right to information and international cooperation in the field of implementing this human right. Last year the official launch of the COVID-19 Response in Africa project took place on IDUAI. This year, we want to once again organise an online event, enabling us to bring together our partners, look back on the first year of the project, and highlight the importance of access to information.
Several points will be raised, such as:
- How does access to information fit into the SDG Agenda ?
- Looking back on one year of the COVID-19 Response in Africa project: how does the project and the partners have contributed to better access to information on COVID-19?
- Should the government be proactive or reactive on sharing information?
- Should citizens be able to request all kinds of information?
- How can media plays its role in accessing information and advancing right to information laws?
Title: Tweet Chat and Twitter Space on the contribution of access to information laws
Dates: 27 September 2021
Tweet Chat: 2:00 PM- 3: 00 PM
Twitter Space: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EAT
Format: Online – social media
Description: In light of the IDUAI 2021 commemoration, AFIC intends to conduct social media engagements, including a Tweet Chat and Twitter Space on the contribution of access to information laws to the achievement of sustainable development goals. AFIC will conduct a tweet chat in the afternoon in context of the topic to set a pace for the Twitter Space later in the evening. During the Tweet Chat, we are happy to showcase the work of AFIC and UNESCO in that regard.
The Twitter Space will be a continuation of the conversation; in audio format.
You will share the UN perspective of Access to Information and SDGs What are Twitter Spaces?
Spaces are a brand new way to have live audio conversations on Twitter. You're in the right place. Spaces unlocks conversations on Twitter with the depth and power only the human voice can bring. These ephemeral, live audio conversations allow for open, authentic, and unfiltered discussions, and there's a Space for any and every topic and conversation, from small and intimate to millions of listeners.
Objectives:
1. To facilitate engagement on the role of access to information laws and their implementation to build back strong institutions for the public good and sustainable development, as well as to strengthen the right to information and international cooperation in implementing this human right.
2.To inc rease awareness on the significance of the right to information to the realization of other rights like the right to education, health, freedom of expression, especially amongst vulnerable groups such as women, youth and people with disabilities in Uganda.
Expected output:
1. Increased engagement on the contribution of access to information laws to the achievement of sustainable development goals, and more specifically of indicator SDG 16.10.2 on public access to information.
2. Increased commitment toward implementation of Access to Information laws to the achievement of SDGs.
Moderator: Gilbert Sendugwa, AFIC
Speaker: Dian Kuswandini, UNESCO
Al Jazeera Center for Public Liberties & Human Rights, in Cooperation with Aljazeera Mubashir (Live)
Title: The Investigative Journalism and Human Rights: Legal and Ethics Responsibilities
Dates: Tuesday, September 28th, 2021” at 18:00 PM, Doha Local Time
Format: Online
Outlines: The TV Symposium will cover the following many topics related to your mandate:
- What is the practical responsibility and duty of UNESCO to promote freedom of expression, access to information and press freedom around the world?
- How UNESCO do monitor and evaluate the importance of investigative journalism and its role for fostering democracies and development, as a Guarantee for transparency, and accountability of governments and other stakeholders?
- How does UNESCO see the future of investigative journalism?
- Media Organization and Journalists Should be able to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal, How do you look at the impact of UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity?
- The status of media freedom around the world?
- The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Freedom of Expression and public to access the information?
The Centre’s “Monthly TV Symposium" is a monthly live Human Rights Visual Promotion Symposium for one hour Show screened on Aljazeera Mubasher Channel every Tuesday or Wednesday at the end of month.
Contributors: - Mr. Aidan With, Ethical Journalism, Founder of the Ethical Journalism Network (EJN), - Mrs. Rana Sabbagh is senior editor for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), - Mr. Phil Rees, Director of Investigative Journalism, Al Jazeera Media Network
Links of the Previous Symposium:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGRC5lDYUUg&t=2441s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd9NsWsmKUI
Title: The Right to Know – Building Back Better with Access to Information
Dates: 28 September 2021
Format: Online from 9 am to 11:30 am (Kigali time)
Description: The IDUAI 2021 in Rwanda is focused on the following sub-themes:
- The contribution of access to information laws to the achievement of sustainable development goals, and more specifically of indicator SDG 16.10.2 on public access to information.
- Access to real Information as a public good, fighting disinformation and fake news
- Straitening the right of Access to information in universal periodic review.
The speakers:
- John OKANDE UNESCO East African Regional Office
- Berna NAMATA Thomson Foundation/The East African
- Matheus MWESIGYE Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)
- John MUDAKIKWA Center for Rule of Law Rwanda (CERULAR)
- Emmanuel HABUMUREMYI Association Rwandaise des Jounalistes (ARJ)
The objective of this event was to help Rwandan society and all other communities in the East African region to know and understand the right to information. In addition, we aimed to continue to identify and disseminate the benefits from the Access to Information law for Sustainable Development.
We also aimed to continue a fight for Disinformation, Fake News and Misinformation among citizens and all news consumers in Rwanda and in the east African region in general. The RJSD has been partnering with different institutions in Rwanda to teach the negative impacts of these topics and how the Rwandans can prevent false information from especially the online news websites and social media platforms both local and international. In particular, our guests’ speakers gave a variety of presentations, but all of them were very important in highlighting the benefits of the right of access to information.
In addition, all discussions indicated that the law on access to information should be complied with in order to accelerate the development of the east African countries. Participants learnt how it helpful to have the benefits that come from implementing the access to information. the right to information. They also understand that the law on access to information is enforced in various African countries. They also understand that the right to information is taken into account globally, especially through the United Nations in the Universal Periodic Review, which are the recommendations given to various countries in the field of human rights, including the right to information.
Replay of the webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohpm4Wzualw