Right to Know Week is the internationally recognized week to raise awareness about access rights available through freedom of infromation legislation. It occurs during the last week of September.
Right to Know events going on in...
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Thanks to FOIAdvocates for collecting some of this information
Canada
Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, , Russia, Nepal
BC Information Summitt
BC INFORMATION SUMMIT 2010
It’s a critical time for FOI and privacy rights in BC, with some game-changing recommendations for changes to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act on the table.
A Special Committee of the Legislature has just completed the third review of the FOIPP Act and delivered its final report to the BC Legislature on May 31.
The public wants privacy protection and more access to government information. Government officials want less scrutiny and a LOT more license to collect and share our personal information. Both are demanding major reforms of BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Are big changes ahead for freedom of information and privacy in BC?
Speakers and panelists at the 2010 BC Information Summit will debate the most important issues and recommendations that are on the table following the legislative review.
The summit will feature the maiden speech of BC's new Information and Privacy Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham.
Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia "Right to Know" Week event on September 28, 2010 at Alumni Hall, University of Kings College
Right to Know Week September 27 - October 1, 2010
Darce Fardy, President of the Nova Scotia. Right to Know Coalition, and the Canadian Association of Professional Access and Privacy Administrators (CAPAPA) are co-sponsoring a Nova Scotia "Right to Know" Week event on September 28, 2010. The Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Review Office are officially supporters of the event.The event is being held in cooperation with the University of Kings College School of Journalism, and will feature a talk by Fred Vallance-Jones, a Kings Journalism professor and the author of the 2010 Canadian Newspaper Association (CNA) Freedom of Information Audit. The co-sponsored event is part of "Right to Know" Week events across the country between September 26 and October 1, 2010.
Date: September 28, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Alumni Hall
University of Kings College
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Canadian Association of Privacy and Access Professionals
September 28 — St John's. Community information event co-sponsored by CAPAPA, Memorial University, College of the North Atlantic, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Canadian Bar Association.
September 28 — Charlottetown — A live online chat with Maria C. MacDonald, PEI's Information and Privacy Commissioner to discuss Access and the PEI experience.
September 28 — Toronto — Presented in association with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Topic: The Making of an Access and Privacy Professional. Featuring: • Robin Gould-Soil, Director, PIPEDA Investigations, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada • Michael Power, Privacy and Information Risk Management Lawyer, Author and Consultant • Eric Lawton, City of Toronto’s Manager of Corporate Access and Privacy. Facility Tour of the Toronto 311 Contact Centre, guided by Neil Evans, 311 Project Director
September 28 — Halifax — Secrecy in Democracy: Freedom of Information in Nova Scotia 2010. Presented in cooperation with the University of Kings College School of Journalism. Co hosted by Dulcie McCallum, Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer • Darce Fardy, President of the Nova Scotia Right to Know Coalition, and the Canadian Association of Professional Access and Privacy Administrators (CAPAPA). Featuring: Professor Fred Vallance-Jones, author of the 2010 Canadian Newspaper Association (CNA) Freedom of Information Audit
September 28-29 — Regina — CAPAPA is a supporting organization to the Saskatchewan Access, Privacy, Security and Records Management Forum - Making Connections presented by Access & Privacy Branch, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General for Saskatchewan.
September 29 — Ottawa — Presented in partnership with the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada Panel Discussion: Push or Pull: Liberating Government Information Featuring: • John Weigelt, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada • Nathalie Des Rosiers, General Counsel, Canadian Civil Liberties Association • Kady O’Malley, Author, Inside Politics Blog Panel Discussion: Making the Case for Open Government Featuring: • Suzanne Legault, Information Commissioner of Canada • Chris Moore, Chief Information Officer, Edmonton • Michael Mulley, Creator of OpenParliament.ca • Chris Thorpe, Developer Advocate for the Open Platform at The Guardian (UK) • David L. McClure, Ph.D., Associate Administrator, Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, General Services Administration (US)
September 30 – Charlottetown — Access to Information Success Stories: A Panel Presentation Featuring Maria C. MacDonald, PEI Information and Privacy Commissioner
September 30 — Victoria — Presented in association with the Office of the Information Commissioner of BC Panel Discussion: Meeting the Challenge: Gaining Access to Government and Public Body Records Featuring: • Elizabeth Denham, Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC • Sean Holman, Editor of Public Eye Online) • Paul Hancock, City of Vancouver Moderator: Bill Trott, University of Victoria
October 1 — Vancouver — Presented in association with the Office of the Information Commissioner of BC. Recent Issues in Freedom of Information: An Update for FOI Coordinators Featuring: • Justin Hodkinson, Portfolio Officer, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC • Darrin Fast, Systems Analyst, City of Vancouver • Robert Matas, National Correspondent, Globe and Mail
October 1 — Charlottetown — Presented in association with the Office of the Information Commissioner of PEI. Access to Information Success Stories: Information Presentations and Group Discussion Featuring: • Maria C. MacDonald, PEI Information and Privacy Commissioner • Jessie Frost Wicks, PEI Solicitor/FOIPP Legal Counsel • Anne Marie MacIsaac, Provincial Records Manager • Frieda MacLaren, PEI Access and Privacy Coordinator • Kathryn Dickson, CAPAPA Representative (PEI)
The Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
Event: Live on-line public debate and colaboration with events accross Canada
The Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada is hosting a public debate which will focus on the benefits of open government data, it will be webcast at www.righttoknow.ca. Toby Mendel, Executive Director of the Centre for Law and Democracy, and FOIAnet Steering Committee Chair, will be among the panellists. The Information Commissioner's Office is also supporting the following events accross Canada:
9/28/2010 – Conference for Parliamentarians-Balancing Openness and the Public Interest in Protecting Information – 140 Wellington St., Victoria Building, Room 505 (Ottawa, Ontario) View...
9/29/2010 – Panel: Push or Pull: Liberating Government Information – Canadian War Museum - Barney Danson Theatre, 1 Vimy Place (Ottawa, Ontario) View...
9/29/2010 – Panel: Making the Case for Open Government – Canadian War Museum - Barney Danson Theatre, 1 Vimy Place (Ottawa, Ontario) View...
9/30/2010 – Accessing Democracy - Hosted by Carleton University's Faculty of Public Affairs – Carleton University Senate Room - Robertson Hall, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario View...
Canadian Association of Professional Access and Privacy Administrations
9/29/2010 – CAPAPA Connexions Events (In collaboration with Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada) – Canadian War Museum - Barney Danson Theatre, 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa ON View...
10/1/2010 – Presentation to the Canadian Association of Professional Access and Privacy Administrators (CAPAPA) – Burnaby View..
Canadian Bar Association Privacy and Access Law Symposium
9/19/2010 – Canadian Bar Association Privacy and Access Law Symposium Reception and Dinner – Sheraton Ottawa Hotel (150 Albert St), Ottawa, Ontario
View...
9/20/2010 – Canadian Bar Association Privacy and Access Law Symposium
View... – Sheraton Ottawa Hotel (150 Albert St), Ottawa, Ontario
British Columbia: Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
9/27/2010 – Presentation to the University of Victoria Masters of PublicAdministration program – University of Victoria
View... 9/27/2010 – Right to Know Week Quiz – Online
View... 9/29/2010 – Presentation to the Rehabilitation Professionals of Victoria – TBD
View...9/30/2010 – Public forum at the Victoria Public Library
– Main Branch - Central Meeting Room
View...
Manitoba
9/27/2010 – Right to Know Proclamations
– Manitoba
View...
Office of the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner and Institute of Public Administration of Canada
9/28/2010 – RTK Luncheon: Positive Disclosure Breeds Efficient Government - How Access by Design Works for All – Dominion Club, 1 King Street West, Toronto
View...
Live Chats with Provincial & Federal Information Commissioners
9/27/2010 – Live online chat with the Suzanne Legault, Information Commissioner of Canada – Online
View...
9/28/2010 – Live online chat with Maria MacDonald, PEI Information and Privacy Commissioner – Online
View...
9/29/2010 – Live online chat with Ann Cavoukian, Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner – Online
View... 9/30/2010 – Live online chat with Irene Hamilton, Manitoba Ombudsman – Online
View...
10/1/2010 – Live online chat with Frank Work, Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner – Online
View...
Kenya
Canada, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Organiser: Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association
Event: Breakfast Round Table
Breakfast round-table between Kenya Parliamentary Journalists members and the parliamentary Select Committee on Information Communication and Energy. The main objective of the round-table activity is to set the agenda on the access to information perspective in the implementation of the new constitution in Kenya. The forum will also explore ways through which the two estates can work together in the legislative process especially in enacting legislations that operationalize the new constitution and at the same time develop synergies for a freedom of information legislation in Kenya.
Uganda
Canada, Kenya, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Event 1
Organiser: Africa Freedom of Information Centre
Event: Public Forum
The Africa Freedom of Information Centre will host a public forum reviewing implementation of the Access to Information Act, featuring speakers from implementing and oversight bodies, as well as civil society organizations. The day before, a report on the state of FOI in Uganda will be released at a press conference.
Event 2
Organiser: InterChange Uganda chapter in collaboration with Media for Peace and Religious Tolerance Organization
Event: Ceremony, Performance and Tree Planting
Drama depicting how Ugandans are at a loss if denied a chance to know issues that concerns them. There will also be competitions in poem recitation based on the theme of the day. Thereafter, we will prepare a press release which will be distributed to our partners in the media. The Ceremony will close with the chief guest (chairman Broadcasting council (Mr Godfrey Mutambazo) by giving reward to the best actor who will also plant a remembrance tree. Later in the evening, we will have a programe highlighting the day’s activities on Radio Bilal 94.1 in a programme called peace at a Glace hosted by Weswala, secretary InterChange –Uganda chapter.
The activity will take place two days before the official date of 28 and we will use this opportunity to pronounce it to the public. The Ceremony will close with the chief guest (chairman Broadcasting council (Mr Godfrey Mutambazo) at 4.00 pm.
Ghana
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Event: Public Awareness Campaign on Ghana's Right to Information Bill
United States of America
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Organiser: Suffolk University Law School
Event: Symposium on Massachusetts' right to information law
A half-day symposium on the state of right to information law in the state of Massachusetts, hosted by the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service of Suffolk University Law School.
More details here: http://tinyurl.com/26eqvsh
Belgium
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Organiser: European Ombudsman and Transparency International
Event: Seminar
The International Right to Know Day, celebrated on 28 September, was established in 2003 by access to information advocates from around the globe. The aim is to raise awareness of every individual's right of access to information. While much progress has been made in the EU over the past decade, the fact remains that one third of the inquiries the European Ombudsman carries out each year concern lack of transparency. This includes refusal to give access to documents, the composition of expert groups or how public consultations are conducted. In this seminar, the state of play concerning transparency at the EU level, as well as in the Member States, will be discussed by the following speakers:
P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, European Ombudsman
"European citizens' right to know - complaints about lack of transparency"
Jana Mittermeier, Head of Transparency International Brussels
"Differences in access to information cultures and regulations in EU Member States: A problem for EU transparency?"
Christian Linder, Cabinet Member of Commission Vice-President Šefčovič "Transparency at EU level: an institutional point of view"
Olivier Hoedeman, Corporate Europe Observatory/ALTER-EU
"The 10-point action plan for transparency and ethics reform in the EU institutions"
The registration form is available at: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/shortcuts/document.faces/en/5278/pdf.book...
Please send the form by 13 September to EO-News@ombudsman.europa.eu Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spam bots. Necesita activar JavaScript para visualizarla , FAX 0032 (0)2 2844914
For more information, contact: Gundi Gadesmann, Media and External Relations Officer of the European Ombudsman gundi.gadesmann@ombudsman.europa.eu
Bulgaria
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Organiser: Access to Information Programme
Event: Awards Ceremony
Access to Information Programme is organizing and holding a ceremony to present Right to Know Day awards in six categories. The Golden Key is given to a citizen, NGO, and a journalist who has most actively exercised their right of information and used the Access to Public Information Act. A Golden Key Award is also given to a public body which has most efficiently organized the provision of information and has developed positive practices.
A Padlock anti-award is given to a nontransparent institution, which has disrespected the law and has violated citizens' right to information.
A Tied Key anti-award is given to an institution for a funny or absurd decision on an access to information request.
Winners are selected by a committee from dozens of nominations collected through the AIP web site: www.righttoknowday.net or sent by AIP coordinators in the country.
AIP coordinators extensively publish and broadcast about the event in local media and organize initiatives on a local level. Posters and leaflets are disseminated.
Croatia
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Organiser: GONG, Transparency International Croatia and Croatian Journalists Society
Event: Conference and Release of Report
GONG, Transparency International Croatia and Croatian Journalists Society will hold a public conference on Sept. 28 about FOIA challenges in Croatia. The results of GONG's 5th annual FOIA implementation report will also be released.
Netherlands
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Organiser: Big Wobber
Event: Special Event with Documentary
The Netherlands will celebrate its first Right to Know Day in the Hague with programming that includes a documentary on the Dutch FOIA (Wob), a website to help people file Wob-verzoeken (FOIA Requests), lectues on the state of the affairs, presentations of cool examples of open data, an award for the "Most Transparent Government Employee" and an award for the "Obstructor 2010". There will be three members of parliament and one of the European Parliament at the event.
See here
Spain
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Nepal
Organiser: Partido Renovación y Progreso
Event: Round Table and Presentation of Requests for Infomation
In the Spanish town of Cáceres there will be a round table debate on The Right to Know on 27th September. Questions from citizens on local governence will then be presented to the city council on right to know day and there will be an information stand for citizens to find out more about the right to know.
Ukraine
Canada,
Kenya,
Uganda,
Ghana,
USA,
Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia,
Netherlands,
Spain,
United Kingdom,
Russia, Nepal
Organiser: Blogger and Journalist
Event: Special Focus on Right to Know Day
Radio reports and blog posts will cover relevant right to know issues on the 28th.
United Kingdom
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, Russia, Nepal
Organiser: Governance Journal
Event: Free Public Access to Special Edition of Scholarly Journal
The scholarly journal Governance will provide public access to one of the articles in its October 2010 issue, to mark Right to Know Day:
Ben Worthy, "More Open But Not More Trusted? The Effect of The Freedom of Information Act 2000 on the United Kingdom Central Government", Governance 23.4 (October 2010), pp. 561-578.
Access will be provided early, on September 28, to mark the Day.
Details on how to download will be here: http://www.governancejournal.net
More details: Alasdair Roberts, Co-Editor, Governance
Russia
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Nepal
Event 1
Organiser: Institute for Information Freedom Development
Event: FOI Training and Workshop
The Institute for Information Freedom Development (St.-Petersburg, Russia), supported by the "NGO School" Development Fund for non-profit organizations (Moscow), held in The Public Chamber of the Russian Federation a FOI training/workshop for about 50 civil activists (mostly NGO representatives) and journalists. Experts of the Institute for Information Freedom Development spoke on FOI legal basis and practical procedures for information seeking and requesting, and then the trainees implemented new knowledge and skills practically by means of simulation exercises.
Event 2
Organiser: Institute for Information Freedom Development and supporting partners
Event: Monitoring of Official Governmental Websites for Compliance to Russian FOI Legislation
A research/practical workshop on FOI legislation observance practical aspects for officials of federal executive government bodies and for any other who is interested in information freedom is held by OOO IRSI, supported by GARANT Information Agency, the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, and by the Institute for Information Freedom Development (IIFD - St.-Petersbirg, Russia). Among the speakers there are experts of the IIFD, the UN Information Centre in Moscow, and of the Institute for Correction Pedagogics (Russian Academy of Education) specially addressing FOI issues for people with disabilities.
Nepal
Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia
International Right to Know Day is going to be marked in Nepal with joint effort of Citizens' Campaign for Right to Information (CCRI) and National Information Commission (NIC). CCRI has been observing this day since 2007. The program entitled 'Marking International Right to Know Day: Establishment of RTI Booth' is going to be held at Basantapur, one of the world cultural heritages of Kathmandu, Nepal.
Establishment of the Booth aims to create massive awareness on nature, application and importance of Right to Information to the public. In the program, various awareness instruments are going to be used. CCRI and NIC publication such as RTI handbook, booklet and brochures will be disseminated to the public. Likewise, RTI song (produced and released earlier by CCRI) and ongoing Radio Program on RTI (conducted and arranged by CCRI) will be also used in the program in order to raise awareness to the public.
Various celebrities will also take participate in the program who will act in the program focusing on the importance of RTI. Present parliamentarians will also speak on RTI to the public. An estimated 2500 individuals are expected to participate in the program.
