FOIAnet Resources

Archives

If you would like access to the archives of the FOIAnet (which date back to 2008), you need to be a member of the discussion list. Members can access the archives by using a unique password to log in. If you do not know your password, all you need to do is ask for a reminder which will be sent to your email address.

Follow the instructions and access the archives by clicking here (this will take you away from FOIAdvocates.net).

Resources

Below, you will find publications, model laws, training materials for the public or public officials, useful links, organisations and other resources related to the right of access to information.

SDG 16.10.2 – Measuring RTI implementation – FOIAnet Methodology

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SDG 16.10.2 – measuring RTI implementation

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 16.10.2 calls on all States to adopt and implement RTI laws. To assist our members, FOIAnet developed a simple methodology for civil society organisations to use to assess implementation. It is designed to be something which members could apply relatively simply to obtain a […]

Note: Information & Communication Technologies and Access to Public Information Laws

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After a brief overview of the evolution of ATI laws in Latin America, this note deals with various key aspects of the three above-mentioned countries’ portals. Following the overview, the note is divided into several sections based on the main aspects of the portals: characteristics, design, implementation, use, and training and promotion.

In English

In Spanish

The Role of the Inter-American Human Rights System in the Promotion of the Right to Information

SUMMARY – The Inter-American Human Rights System has played a fundamental role in promoting the right to information in Latin America. This learning material describes the mandate and composition of this system and describes its two main outcomes regarding the right to information: the Model Inter-American Law and the Inter-American Court’s paradigmatic rulings on […]

Where do we stand? The situation of the right to information and transparency in Latin America

Karina Banfi, Executive Secretary of the Alianza Regional para la Libertad de Expresión e Información (Regional Alliance for the Freedom of Expression and Information), talks to us about the need to approve and implement Freedom of Information Acts (FOIAs) to increase transparency and improve accountability in Latin America. She describes the region’s evolution regarding […]

Guide – The Latin American Approach to Transparency and Access to Information

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SUMMARY – By providing greater access to public information and promoting transparency, Latin American countries seek to improve social oversight, inform citizens about government policies and programmes, advance other human rights, reduce corruption and enhance overall accountability. This ELLA Guide analyses various initiatives implemented in the region, as well as the key role played by civil society in the Latin American […]

Policy brief – Fighting Corruption by Improving Transparency and Access to Information

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SUMMARY – Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in the last decades countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Paraguay have designed and created electronic platforms that make information about procurement and government officials’ personal assets public. These electronic platforms have guaranteed an effective and transparent flow of public information, thereby empowering citizens to identify and demand action against […]

Practice brief – Using Information for Accountability and Justice

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SUMMARY – Throughout Latin America, civil society organisations (CSOs) are exacting accountability by undertaking independent assessments of the implementation and outcomes of public policies and programmes. To get the information needed for these assessments, CSOs have used the Right to Information guaranteed by Freedom of Information Acts (FOIAs), Constitutions or Court decisions. By conducting these exercises, civil society has highlighted mismanagement and […]

Practice Brief – Civil Society’s Regional Network for Advancing Freedom of Expression and Access to Information

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SUMMARY – The Regional Alliance for the Freedom of Expression and Information (the Alliance), an innovative civil society network, has had a major role in promoting freedom of expression and the right to information regionally. The Alliance coordinates the efforts of 23 civil society organisations (CSOs) from 19 American countries and carries outextensive advocacy work at the regional level.1 […]

Citizen Assessment of Budget Transparency: Latin American Budget Transparency Index

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SUMMARY – Civil society organisations (CSOs) developed a new benchmarking exercise to assess and compare levels of budget transparency across countries in order to address a specific transparency problem: budget information may be available, but it is not useful. Since 2001, CSOs and academic institutions have implemented the Latin American Budget Transparency Index (Índice Latinomericano de Transparencia Presupuestaria – […]

Policy Brief – Building the Legal Framework to Support Trasparency and Access to Information in Latin America

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In the last two decades, Latin American countries – including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Uruguay, among others – have designed and adopted Freedom of Information Acts (FOIAs). These FOIAs have increased transparency of government actions, ensured citizens’ right to request and access public information, and enhanced overall accountability. This Brief […]

The Power of Using the Right to Information Act in Bangladesh: Experiences from the Ground

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Fifteen cases from Bangladesh to showcase how an abstract law can become relevant and useful for everyday citizens, while building the capacity of NGOs to document their experiences for further dissemination.

Advancing Access to Information Principles Through Performance Management Mechanisms: The Case of Canada

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On the basis of a detailed case study of the government of Canada, this report examineshow management accountability processes operating within public services may contribute to the promotion and enforcement of access laws.

Enforcement Models. Content and Context

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The paper defines three distinct models for enforcing ATI legislation, the considerations applied in designing and selecting the models, and some of the key factors related to the proper functioning of the system, through the use of illustrative case examples.

Amending Access to Information Legislation: Legal and Political Issues

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This paper is about efforts to amend the legal framework for the right to information, with a particular focus on access to information (ATI) laws.

Libertad de información. ¿Tres palabas inofensivas? Leyes de acceso a la información y rol de la prensa

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La aprobación e implementación de nuevas leyes sobre acceso a la información pública se incrementó notablemente en los últimos años. Esta investigación documenta y analiza la relación entre la prensa y el derecho de acceso a la información pública.

Carter Centre Access to Information and Transparency Events Calendar

To enhance cooperation and coordination, the Center’s Global ATI Initiative has developed the international access to information and transparency calendar of events, including posts on conferences, workshops, summits, retreats, and training sessions. If you would like to post an event, please click here www.cartercenter.org/accesstoinformation.

10-10-10 Statement

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To mark the 10th anniversary of International Right To Know Day on 28 September 2012, FOIAnet issued this 10-10-10 Statement, setting out the Network’s ten main achievements over the last ten years, its ten main  challenges, and its ten core goals for the next ten years.

In English (PDF)

En Français (PDF)

En Español (PDF)

In Russian (PDF)

IDRC Report – Uganda

Uganda RTI Report by the IDRC and Greenwatch Uganda

IDRC Reports – Ghana

 

Ghana RTI Report created by IDRC and CDD Ghana

Booklet for tracking Freedom of information requests by communities

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Complex monitoring templates including online systems have been used by civil society groups all over the world to monitor and track the results of Freedom of information requests. However communities often need a simple tool to record what has happened to their Freedom of information requests once sent to government agencies. Methods to track […]

The Jakarta Declaration

The Jakarta Declaration marks an important step forward for improving access to information about air and water in Asia. This comprehensive Declaration provides governments with concrete ideas for boosting access to information and safeguarding citizens from projects that may negatively impact air and water quality.

But a roadmap is only worthwhile if it’s actually used. […]

Top 10 things to do in first six months to implement a Freedom of information law

The Access Initiative has come up with a list of top ten actions that governments should consider when they are beginning implementation. This list may also be used as a tool by civil society to monitor government implementation practices.

http://www.accessinitiative.org/blog/2011/09/top-10-things-do-first-six-months-implement-a-freedom-information-law-one-view

Global Right to Information Update: An Analysis by Region

8 July 2013 – Today, the Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIAnet) launched a major global analysis of the development of the right to information (RTI) movement, broken down by region. The publication follows FOIAnet’s celebration of its 10th anniversary on International Right to Know Day, 28 September 2012.

The Update, which was co-authored by […]