International Access to Information Day
OPEN BY DESIGN
International Access to Information Day (IAID) is celebrated annually 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 throughout the week from 27 September – 1 October, exploring the theme: Open by design.
Events
Monday 27 September
Launch of IAID 2021 – Commissioner’s Address | 27 September, 10.00am – 10.20am
Watch the Commissioner’s Address here
Tuesday 28 September
Lightning Talk: What makes a good FOI request? | 28 September, 11.00am – 11.40am
Watch this Lightning Talk here
Office of the Information Commissioner Queensland: The 2021 Solomon Lecture | 28 September, available to stream from 9am
ICIC: The importance of independence and efficiency of oversight bodies & legal frameworks | September 28, 2.00pm – 3.20pm (UTC +02:00).
Wednesday 29 September
IAS: Breaking down the culture of FOI – Opportunities for change | 29 September, 10.30am – 11.30am
Watch this IAS webinar here
Thursday 30 September
Lightning Talk: OVIC’s role in promoting information access through the FOI Act | 30 September, 10.30am – 11.10am
Watch this Lightning Talk here
InfoGovANZ Open Government: Contemporary opportunities & challenges | 30 September, 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Useful resources
Animations
Access to information – information commissioners and ombudsmen across Australia have come together to develop a shared resource that highlights your right to access government information.
Requesting changes to your information
Some NICE tips for making an FOI request
How to make an FOI request in Victoria
Take a look at OVIC’s animations from IAID 2020
Understand how FOI officers can promote access to information
Understand how Victorian public sector staff can help promote access to information
Media & Reports published during IAID 2021
Supporting materials
Supporter Toolkit
Download our supporter toolkit containing all of the supporting materials in one .zip file (1.37Mb) including an email signature, social media images, a poster and web banner. You can download individual supporting materials using the links below.
Email signature
Download the IAID email signature
Social media images
Download the IAID social media image – 1
Download the IAID social media image – 2
Poster
Web banner
Agency FOI Information Service
OVIC recently launched our new Agency FOI Information Service, an email service designed to provide Victorian public sector agency staff with advice and guidance.
If you have questions about events OVIC put on during IAID 2021, reports that were published, or something relating to FOI and access to government-held information, you can now email us at AskFOI@ovic.vic.gov.au.
For information on how to use the service, watch the animation below:
