From Monday 28th September to Friday 2nd October 2020, UNESCO Montevideo in collaboration with field offices in Latin America and the Caribbean have coordinated a regional marathon of online activities, dedicated to defending and visualizing the importance of free access to public information.
On 28th September, as every year since 2015, UNESCO recognises the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). This years global celebration focuses on the right to information in times of crisis and the benefits of providing legislative, statutory and/or regulatory assurances for public access to information. Building trust, saving lives, and supporting policymakers to strengthen and uphold access to information laws, specifically in 2020, a year marked by an unforeseen pandemic that has shaken the entire world is one of the main focuses of this years global celebration.
The regional celebration is a week aimed at visualising the value of open access to data, raising public awareness and improving citizens' understanding of key principles to the rights to access to public information.
“During the last two decades, Latin America and the Caribbean have made significant progress in passing legislation on freedom of information. Legal and/or political guarantees for public access to information are important guarantees to receive timely, accurate and objective information. As we celebrate the Universal Access to Information Day, we hope to share good practices regarding the implementation of access to information policies and their impact on human lives in the region”,
” - Jaco Du Toit, Chief of Section Universal Access to Information in UNESCO's Communications and Information Sector.
The following are activities that will take place within the framework of the regional celebration, organised and promoted exclusively by UNESCO Montevideo:
1) Access to scientific information:
A space aimed at bringing together paths connecting scientific data with citizens and providing the appropriate tools for understanding how to digest them. Tuesday September 29th from 5.00 p.m - 6.30 p.m (UY | ARG | BR). MORE INFO
2) The importance of access to information and the protection of documentary heritage in times of crisis::
Exploring how archives and memory institutions play a key role in access to public information. Wednesday 30th September from 12.00 to 2 p.m. UY - ARG. MORE INFO
3) Challenges and advances in Access to Public Information in Justice:
A webinar to discuss the challenges of implementing transparency and access to information laws in the judiciary. Wednesday 30th September from 2.00 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. (ARG|URU|CH|BR) . MORE INFO
4) “Today's World Facing Disinformation: Access to Public Information, Freedom of Expression, FakeNews.”
(ESP) A webinar to analyze the impact “disinformation” is having on informing the masses on the current COVID-19 global health emergency. Thursday 1st October 9 a.m. to 11 (PY) 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. (ARG | URU) MORE INFO
5) Media and Informational Literacy (MIL) in Youth: A cornerstone for implementing Access to Information policies:
An activity that highlights the transformative power of young people and the necessary role that they could play in the process of designing and implementing access to public information policies. Friday 2 October 9.30 a.m. MEX | COLOMBIA | PERU 10:30 am (CUBA) 11.30 a.m. (URU | ARG | BR) . MORE INFO
“The public must have the right to receive timely, accurate and objective information on the developments of COVID-19 and the threats to their lives. The proactive publication of data and relevant information to the pandemic supports and protects the public from misinformation and the disease itself”. - Jaco Du Toit.