RIGHT TO INFORMATION EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME

1
RIGHT TO INFORMATION EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME

• - An Introduction
• Presentation by Sabine Benzing-Balzer
• Right to information training for NGOs from
  India,
• Bangalore, 21-24 January 2007

2
Why is the right to information important?

• Right to information as a fundamental human right

Right to information as a tool for democracy and
good governance
Right to information as a tool for the fulfilment
of other human rights
3
Right to information as a fundamental human right

• The right to information is recognised as a
• fundamental human right in a number
• of international and national human rights
• instruments, e.g.
• Article 19 Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Article 19 International Covenant on Civil and
  Political Rights
• Right to Information Act No. 22 of 2005 in India

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Right to information as a tool for the fulfilment
of other human rights

• Freedom of expression
• The right to information can be used as a tool
  to build informed opinion, which is necessary to
  exercise the right to freedom of expression.
• Right to education
• The right to information can be used by parents
  to challenge the basis on which school admission
  is denied.
• Right to food
• The right to information can be used to find out
  about ration entitlements and to expose the
  fraudulent distribution of food grains.

5
Right to information as a tool for democracy

• Information about the government is essential for
  citizens to make informed choices in elections
• Access to information is key for responsive
  democracy Political leaders are more likely to
  act in accordance with the wishes of the
  electorate if they know that their actions can be
  constantly scrutinised by citizens
• Access to information is key for consultative
  democracy There can be no democratic
  participation in decision-making without
  transparency and sharing information

6
Right to information as a tool for good governance

• Right to information as a tool for effective and
  efficient governance
• Right to information as a tool for transparent
  governance
• Right to information as a tool for accountable
  governance
• Right to information as a tool against corruption

7
Aims of the Right to Information Empowerment
Programme

• enactment, implementation and utilisation of the
  right to information as a tool for democracy,
  good governance and the fulfilment of human
  rights in a number of South Asian countries
• facilitating the effective engagement of NGOs in
  the field of the right to information, through
  awareness raising and capacity building
  activities

8
Activities

• Training programmes and workshops for NGOs
• Research projects and publications on best
  practice examples and model whistleblower
  protection provisions
• Interactive information website
• Strategic litigation support

9
Aim of this training

• develop new ideas for right to information
  projects
• starting point for new right to information
  projects