International Right To Know Day 2014: Working to promote transparency

irtkd_poster_2Madrid, 28 September 2014 – Civil society, led by the Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIAnet), is organising events on every continent for International Right to Know Day 2014 on 28 September, from activist and citizen workshops, to conferences on access to information laws, media broadcasts, and award ceremonies.

Freedom of information organisations and activists from all around the world will be raising awareness of every individual’s right of access to information held by governments and public bodies.

Access Info Europe is also taking action to join the series of International Right to Know Day 2014 events:

» Following Access Info Europe’s participation in the EU Roadmap to Transparency event on improving transparency and access to documents in the EU, organised by MEP Sophie In ’t Veld in the European Parliament in Brussels, Helen Darbishire, Executive Director of Access Info Europe, argues that the European Union should be taking a strong lead on transparency standards across the 28 country region of 500 million inhabitants. Read more…

» Access Info Europe has appealed to the Spanish Government for a more open and participative implementation process of the Spanish Transparency Law. The letter to Spain’s State Secretary José Luis Ayllón outlines a series of recommendations for the formation of the Transparency Council before the law comes into force this December. Read more…

» Access Info Europe will launch the new AsktheEU.org website; including the new widget feature and campaign pages to promote the public interest in information requested through the website, as well as a video for civil society organisations explaining how to use AsktheEU.org. Read more…

All the information about the International Right to Know Day is available at the FOIAnet website including a map with events. The activities taking place will also be reported through social media, such as Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #IRTKD2014. See this pamphlet and be inspired by what can you do to celebrate!