The 2020 International Day for Universal Access to Information
On 28 September 2020, the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) will be celebrated for the fifth time. On 17 November 2015, UNESCO’s General Conference adopted a resolution (38 C/70) declaring 28 September of every year as International Day for Universal Access to Information.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the importance of public access to information within Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) that covers the need to promote peaceful and inclusive societies (target 16.10). UNESCO is the UN-designated agency tasked to monitor progress in this area, through indicator 16.10.2 on the number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information.
This year the focus of the IDUAI will be on the right to information in times of crisis and on the advantages of having constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information to save lives, build trust and help the formulation of sustainable policies through and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
Several key online events will take place as part of the celebrations of the IDUAI 2020.
A high-level online discussion “Access of Information – Saving lives, Building Trust, Bringing Hope!” is scheduled for 28 September in Paris (at 5 pm Tashkent time). The discussion will be opened by a statement of the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Audrey Azoulay. The discussion will also include statements made by representatives of the Liberian and Uzbek Governments on the importance of the Day, as well as statements from UNESCO's partners within the UN system, followed by Open Talks session.
You can register for the event at the following link: https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VyaUha1nQk-8IAAsIZBguA
Moreover, on 28 September in Tashkent (at 2 pm Tashkent time) the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan together with the Public Foundation for Support and Development of National Mass Media (Uzbekistan) will hold an online conference to discuss universal access to information across the OSCE area, especially in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants will discuss the current obstacles related to access to information and the possibilities of enhancing access to information, raise the questions of open data, analyse different laws and regulations relating to access to information, and explore the OSCE expertise in freedom of media.
You can join the event by following the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85278279019?pwd=elk3SnlCWU0ycG8vVFNiYVZoQUJiQT09
More information about other IDUAI events can be found here.
Access to information is a human right that serves the entire public, in particular civil society and the media. When citizens have access to information held by public bodies, societies as a whole are empowered to fully participate in social events and to contribute to sustainable development.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to information can save lives, build trust and bring hope.
A holistic response to the COVID-19 acknowledging the right to access to information, but also other human rights such as the right to freedom of expression and the right to privacy are essential in addressing the pandemic in 2020.