This was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNESCO and the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC).
The two parties were represented by Mr Xing Qu, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO and Ms Elizabeth Denham, the Chair of the ICIC Governance Working Group and the UK Information Commissioner.
Our partner, the International Conference, connects more than 50 agencies from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific charged with overseeing the implementation of Access to Public Information legislation. Having such a diversity of knowledge from all over the world, we are sure that this memorandum will serve as an important step in generating our efforts aimed to strengthen access to information, openness and transparency, both globally and nationally.
Xing Qu, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO
The 'right to know' cannot be based on a promise; it needs legal guarantee, oversight and appeal bodies, especially when citizens demand access to politically sensitive or high profile information. That's particularly true in our digital world. The acceleration in uptake in digital services this year has been startling. That brings many benefits to society. But it brings challenges too.
Elizabeth Denham, Chair of ICIC Governance Working Group and UK Information Commissioner
The two parties said the MoU would give further impetus and synergy to collaboration, with a special focus on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which encourages the promotion and monitoring of access to information laws and the strengthening of their implementation.
Another important area of cooperation will be research and projects, such as an online courses aimed to instruct information access practitioners and experts about relevant policies and practices. A third area of work foresees cooperation in institutional development and capacity building as well as the promotion of the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
The signing ceremony was followed by the round table discussion, featuring prominent speakers, such as Gloria De la Fuente, President, Chilean Transparency Council; Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson of the Information Regulator of South Africa; and Min Jeong Kim, Head of UNESCO Office in Myanmar.
About ICIC
The ICIC's is the global forum which connects member Information Commissioners responsible for the protection and promotion of access to information laws in order to improve transparency & accountability to the benefit of everyone. Membership of the ICIC: https://www.informationcommissioners.org/icic-members.
