International Access to Information Day
International Access to Information Day (IAID) is celebrated each year on 28 September to raise awareness of the importance of open government and the public’s right to access government-held information.
This right to access information held by government is essential for transparent and accountable government in a democratic society, by promoting and facilitating greater public participation and scrutiny, and supporting better decision-making.
OVIC will celebrate IAID from 29 September to 5 October, hosting a number of events and sharing new resources to help agencies make access to information better facilitated and understood by the Victorian public.
OVIC is one of the jurisdictions around the country hosting events and sharing resources this IAID – we encourage your organisation to get involved and help promote the right to access information in the Victorian public sector.
We’ll be posting further information here as the date approaches – sign up to our monthly newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date.
Events
Guaranteeing the right to access to information in a turbulent world
This International Access to Information Day (IAID), we’ll be joined by special guest Guilherme Canela de Souza Godoi, Director of the Division for Digital Inclusion and Policy and Digital Transformation, and Secretary of the Information for All Programme, UNESCO.
Guilherme will be presenting on how governments can ensure the right to access to information in today’s world. Hear real life examples of why it is important that the public have access to government-held information, and what leaders need to put in place to guarantee this right.
Key details
When: Tuesday 30 September
Time: 10:00am – 10:45am AEST
Where: Online – Microsoft Teams
Register to attend here.
Information Access Series: The ideal state of Freedom of Information in Victoria
Join Emma Stephens, Principal Policy Officer at OVIC, to hear about the Victorian Parliament’s Integrity and Oversight Committee’s recommendation to replace the FOI Act with a new Right to information Act in Victoria. Emma will discuss the ways the current FOI Act is failing, and the key features of a new and modern access to information framework, as recommended by the Committee.
Key details
When: Wednesday 1 October
Time: 10:00am – 10:45am AEST
Where: Online – Microsoft Teams
Register to attend here.
IAID Solomon Lecture – OIC Queensland
The annual Solomon Lecture is a signature event marking International Access to Information Day held by the Office of the Information Commissioner Queensland. This year the keynote will be delivered by Sheree Marris, a marine biologist, award-winning science communicator, and adjunct at James Cook University. She works at the intersection of research, policy and public engagement, collaborating with scientists, governments, and conservation organisations to make environmental science accessible, actionable and engaging
Key details
When: Thursday 25 September
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am AEST
Where: Hybrid – in person & online
Register to attend here (humanitix.com).
Find out more
28 September marks the 10th anniversary of celebrating International Day for Universal Access to Information. To find out more and see what else is happening around the world, visit the UNESCO website.