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What's Being Done On . . .
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Transparency and Accountability in Legislative and Governmental Institutions Corporate Governance Political Finance Access to Information Links to Other Resources 
Interview with Ernesto Villanueva, president of the Steering Committee of Libertad de Información-México A.C., and participant in the World Movement World Movement Participants Database - Search for more information about groups working on transparency and accountability. |
Projects and organizations, listed by region and country, are presented as illustrative examples that democracy activists, practitioners, and educators might consider as they develop their own initiatives.
Global
Access Initiative - Global
www.accessinitiative.org
The Access Initiative (TAI) is a global coalition of public interest groups collaborating to promote the national-level implementation of commitments to access to information, participation, and justice in environmental decision-making. The Access Initiative is led by a core team of five organizations: Advocates Coalition on Environment and Development (Uganda), Environmental Law and Management Association (Hungary), Corporacion Participa (Chile), Thailand Environment Institute (Thailand), and World Resources Institute (United States). TAI's strategy is to develop and promote the use of a common indicator methodology for national-level assessments of government performance according to the principles of access to information. After pilot assessments in nine countries, TAI recently completed Assessing Access to Information, Participation, and Justice for the Environment: A Guide, an interactive CD-ROM resource that helps civil society groups assess their government's laws and practices about public access to information and participation. The pilot country reports and the Guide can be downloaded from its Web site.
Network of Freedom of Information Advocates - Global
www.foiadvocates.net
The FOI Advocates Network was formed to meet the need to exchange information among NGOs working actively in the freedom of information area and to facilitate the development of common projects. The primary goals of the FOIA Network are to promote the adoption of freedom of information laws in countries that lack such legislation and to support the implementation of FOI laws in countries that already have existing legislation. To achieve these goals, the FOIA Network helps NGOs with campaigning, advocacy, and fundraising through exchange of information, ideas, and strategies, and by providing a forum for collaboration. The Network also facilitates the forming of coalitions of NGOs to address FOI issues at the regional or global level.
Africa
South African History Archive - South Africa
www.wits.ac.za/saha/
In 2001, the South African History Archive (SAHA) launched its Freedom of Information Program (FOIP) dedicated to the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). By conducting wide-ranging consultations with key individuals and sectors in the field and gathering information from them, it has developed an archive of materials released under the Act for Public Use. To date, SAHA has made over a dozen internal appeals against refusal of access to information and several appeals to the High Court. SAHA has also undertaken public education and advocacy by sharing information among national and international networks on freedom of information, and publishing articles and delivering presentations on PAIA.
Open Democracy Advice Centre - South Africa
www.opendemocracy.org.za
The Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC) is an inititive of the Institute for Democracy in South Africa in partnership with the Public Law Department of the University of Cape Town and the Black Sash Trust. ODAC's mission is to promote open and transparent democracy; foster a culture of corporate and government accountability; and assist people in South Africa to realise their human rights. ODAC seeks to achieve its mission through supporting the effective implementation of rights and laws that enable access to, and disclosure of, information. ODAC provides practical and niche services to individuals and organisations with a social justice agenda to help citizens access their rights in respect of two key new pieces of legislation: Protected Disclosures Act 2000 (PDA) and Promotion of access to information Act 2000 (PAIA). On the issue of access to information, ODAC seeks to enhance civil society access to public and private information through the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). It also provides public information and training on using the new legislation through public awareness campaigns, its Web site, and regular workshops. In addition, the Centre monitors the implementation of the legislation in order to refine adn improve it by conducting applied and comparative research.
Central and Eastern Europe
Access to Information Programme Foundation - Bulgaria
www.aip-bg.org
The Sofia-based Access to Information Programme Foundation (AIP) seeks to promote the right to information and initiate a public debate on relevant issues. The Foundation has developed a national network of journalists for collecting cases of information refusals, and through the network, it monitors the situation regarding freedom of information practices in 27 regional centers. AIP also provides legal assistance in individual cases of information refusal. In addition to organizing workshops, training, and seminars for civil society representatives and governmental officials, AIP conducts surveys on the implementation of the Access to Public Information Act by executive and judicial branches of local and national governments.
Latin America
Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth - Argentina
www.cippec.org
The Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (CIPPEC) strives to create a more just, democratic, and efficient state in Argentina to improve the quality of life for all Argentine citizens. CIPPEC has been promoting the approval of the Freedom of Information Act together with other political and non-governmental organizations engaged in broadening with enlarging transparency in Argentina. The Center's activities include the dissemination of information about the Act through workshops and seminars, meetings with public officials and legislators, and letters requesting support from key actors. In addition, CIPPEC has initiated a petition with signatures of 161 representatives of the lower Chamber, by which they committed to support the approval of the Freedom of Information Act.
Fundación Información y Democracia - Mexico
www.fidac.org.mx
The Fundación Información y Democracia (FIDAC) aims to promote democratic reform of the laws affecting freedom of expression and freedom of information. Although the Federal Transparency and Public Access to Information Law was passed in both houses in Mexico, the implementation of the law and the unfamiliarity of legislators, judges, and activists with it remain large challenges. In order to address and meet the challenges, FIDAC conducts training for state legislators, judges, journalists, and civil society groups on the legal, political, and ethical aspects of access to public information. The training helps to continue generating an informed debate among the public and building greater support for reform. In addition, FIDAC provides technical assistance to legislative projects concerning reform of access to information laws and freedom of expression.
Libertad de Información - Mexico
www.limac.org.mx/html
The Libertad de Información (LIMAC) was founded to encourage civil society organizations to participate in advancing freedom of information. To achieve the goal, LIMAC has created state chapters that advocate for the passage and implementation of state-level freedom of information laws throughout the country. LIMAC trains chapter leaders on the principles and practices of the Federal Transparency and Public Access to Information Law and publishes manuals and bulletins to encourage citizens' use of the law. It also monitors the implementation efforts of the law and produces a report outlining its successes and failures.
Presencia Ciudadana (Citizen Presence) - Mexico
www.presenciaciudadana.org.mx
Presencia Ciudadana is a Mexican NGO working to improve access to information in an effort to hold government and the private sector accountable in the area of land use and environmental degradation. Through its program, involving fourteen case studies, called "The Access and Use of Information of Pollutant Releases," Presencia Ciudadana gathered environmental information and monitored the implementation of access to information mechanisms. Working with other NGOs, it also lobbied the Congress and public authorities to approve a Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR). In 2002, Presencia Ciudadana held a seminar on "The Private Sector and Access to Environmental Information in Mexico" to discuss new challenges of PRTR and learn about similar experiences from organizations in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, it has worked with Chilean NGOs and developed a study on "Strengthening the Access to Information and Public Participation in Environmental Matters of Mexico and Chile." This study resulted in the Presencia Ciudadana's publication, "Citizen's Guide to Promote the Access to Information and Participation in Mexico," which helps to educate citizens in matters of exercising their right to know and right to participate in environmental matters.
Consejo de la Prensa Peruana (Peruvian Press Council) - Peru
www.consejoprensaperuana.org.pe
The Lima-based Peruvian Press Council promotes and advocates freedom of information and focuses on the government's preparedness under the legislative requirements. The Council seeks to ensure that public officials are prepared to respond to the demands of the citizens and the press. It tracks the number of information requests made to government agencies, many of which are to local government. Because the recently passed Law of Transparency and Access to Public Information does not provide for formal training to prepare government officials to respond to citizen queries and maintain records transparently, the Council conducts a pilot program in ten municipalities to train local governmental officials on the law. The training focuses on how to maintain public records, how to respond to information requests, and procedures for fiscal transparency. The Council also trains thirty members of the judiciary in cooperation with the National Ombudsman's Office for resolving disputes regarding the law's application and interpretation.
Middle East
Bahrain Transparency Society - Bahrain
Contact: Transparency International in Bahrain, jasimalajmi@yahoo.com
Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS), an affiliate of Transparency International, is a nonprofit organization with the goal of fighting corruption in politics and improving citizens' access to information. BTS conducts a series of activities that facilitate freedom of information for Bahraini citizens, including the drafting and advocating of freedom of information legislation. Its Web site seeks to monitor, expose, and report corruption by public officials. BTS also carries out three workshops on corruption and transparency, each bringing 75 participants from the parliament and NGOs, as well as independent activists. The goals of these workshops are to raise public awareness about the need for laws and transparency, to develop a network of anti-corruption procedures, and to monitor compliance by government and corporations in Bahrain.
About "What's Being Done On . . . "
For three months at a time, we highlight the activities of various organizations in different global regions, and links to important resources, that are focused on a particular theme or area of democracy work. Each new theme is announced via DemocracyNews, and the information from the previous installment is placed in the archives below. We hope to receive and post information about the work you or others may be doing that is focused on these issues. Send information via e-mail to the or by fax to (202) 378-9890.
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