International Day for Universal Access to Information
Since 2016 UNESCO marks 28 September as the “International Day for Universal Access to Information” (IDUAI), following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 declaring 28 September of every year as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
IDUAI has particular relevance with the new 2030 Development Agenda, and in particular with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 16.10 which calls for ensuring public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.
UNESCO hopes that the marking of 28 September as the “International Day for Universal Access to Information” will provide for more countries adopting FOI legislation, developing policies for multilingualism and cultural diversity in the cyberspace, and ensuring that women and men with disabilities are integrated.
These steps will further strengthen progress towards the 2030 Development agenda and pave the way for the creation of knowledge societies worldwide.
Message from the Director-General
"Access to information is directly linked to the enjoyment of basic rights and freedoms and influences the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals."
— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
on the occasion of the International Day for Universal Access to Information 2018
Download the full message in PDF format
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To mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), The Ministry of Telecommunication, Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment and the Ministry of Education, of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, and UNESCO will co-organize a flagship event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as part of IDUAI commemorations that will be held around the world. The UNESCO international event from 28-29 September at the Hotel Mount Lavinia in Colombo will consist of international panels, expert workshops and other high-level events and commemorations. The theme will be “The Asian Digital Revolution: Transforming the Digital Divide into a Dividend through Universal Access”.
The IPDCtalks are a global event series that aim to create worldwide discussion on how to foster open societies, sustainable development, and inspire better laws and practices in the field of access to information. Global public and community leaders, journalists, NGOs and digital pioneers are invited to the IPDCtalks to share their achievements and initiatives with an audience of local and global stakeholders. The talks are streamed live, fueling a global conversation on social media about the importance of access to information. The third annual IPDCtalks under the theme "Good Laws and Practices for Open Societies: Powering Sustainable Development with Access to Information" will be held in Tunis, Tunisia on 27 September, with eight regional/national IPDCtalks in other countries to celebrate the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
What UNESCO does for Universal Access to Information
Resources
Documents
- Proclamation of 28 September as the "International Day for the Universal Access to Information"
2015, 38th Session, General Conference, Resolution 38 C/70 - Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- Colombo Statement (2018)
- Brisbane Declaration
- Dakar Declaration
- Finlandia Declaration
- Maputo Declaration
- New Delhi Declaration
- Recommendation concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace
2003 - United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
For more documents, visit UNESCO Freedom of Information list of documents.
Websites
- African Platform on Access to Information
- FOIAnet
- Open Government Partnership
- Global Media Forum for Development
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 16.10
For more websites, visit UNESCO Freedom of Information list of websites.
Previous celebrations