WIDER
access to information allows and empowers ordinary citizens to participate
actively in development processes, Institute for Democracy in Africa
(Idasa) has stated.
In a statement ahead of the commemoration of the International Right to Know Day, which falls on September 28, Idasa emphasised the importance of making information accessible to the wider public. “Citizens’ access to information ensures that they take ownership of democratic processes and therefore can participate effectively,” read the Idasa statement in part. “In 2011, the advocacy message is about making information on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) available to everyone. That access to information can be used as a tool to ensure that the wishes of citizens as set out in the Millennium Declaration are honoured.”
Idasa stated that its Right to Know Right to Education Project would advocate for a push towards the attainment of the MDG that relates to education, with special emphasis on the MDG2, which is on achieving universal primary education.
Idasa sated that its project would promote the right of access to information to all citizens.
According to an MDG report, enrolment in primary education has continued to rise, reaching an impressive 89% in the developing world.
“However, there should be concern around the findings in the report that Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia are home to the vast majority of children out of school,” Idasa stated. “The report has to be simplified so that ordinary citizens may understand and break down the data it contains. More effort should be put into ensuring much wider reach of the report’s findings.”
Idasa has observed that despite a growing consensus among civil society that information provision was crucial in the continent’s quest for development, the role of information had largely been left off the MDG agenda.
“Transparency in governance requires that information be made available to citizens. The tendency of governments to adopt FOI Bills with secrecy as an undertone is in contradiction to democratic processes and against development,” Idasa stated.
Idasa stated that it would advocate for freedom of information not just being a reserve for the media but for a more progressive outlook where all citizens enjoy the right to information as a basic right.
In a statement ahead of the commemoration of the International Right to Know Day, which falls on September 28, Idasa emphasised the importance of making information accessible to the wider public. “Citizens’ access to information ensures that they take ownership of democratic processes and therefore can participate effectively,” read the Idasa statement in part. “In 2011, the advocacy message is about making information on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) available to everyone. That access to information can be used as a tool to ensure that the wishes of citizens as set out in the Millennium Declaration are honoured.”
Idasa stated that its Right to Know Right to Education Project would advocate for a push towards the attainment of the MDG that relates to education, with special emphasis on the MDG2, which is on achieving universal primary education.
Idasa sated that its project would promote the right of access to information to all citizens.
According to an MDG report, enrolment in primary education has continued to rise, reaching an impressive 89% in the developing world.
“However, there should be concern around the findings in the report that Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia are home to the vast majority of children out of school,” Idasa stated. “The report has to be simplified so that ordinary citizens may understand and break down the data it contains. More effort should be put into ensuring much wider reach of the report’s findings.”
Idasa has observed that despite a growing consensus among civil society that information provision was crucial in the continent’s quest for development, the role of information had largely been left off the MDG agenda.
“Transparency in governance requires that information be made available to citizens. The tendency of governments to adopt FOI Bills with secrecy as an undertone is in contradiction to democratic processes and against development,” Idasa stated.
Idasa stated that it would advocate for freedom of information not just being a reserve for the media but for a more progressive outlook where all citizens enjoy the right to information as a basic right.
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