International Day for Universal Access to Information

  Recognizing the significance of access to information, the 74th UN General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) at the UN level in October 2019. The day had been proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015, following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 declaring 28 September of every year as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).   

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Good practices on developing a national position on the interpretation of international law and state use of ICTs.

Good practices on developing a national position on the interpretation of international law and state use of ICTs

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) welcomes you to a side event to the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on sec

The UNIDIR welcomes you to a side event to the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of ICTs.

The side event aims to present and discuss UNIDIR's recently published Compendium of Good Practices on Developing a National Position on the Interpretation of International Law and State use of ICTs, as well as to engage in a constructive conversation with representatives of Member States that have gone through the process of developing a national position on the application of international law in cyberspace.

Related Documents

Website

Watch the Good practices on developing a national position on the interpretation of international law and state use of ICTs!

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Inclusive Employment meets Artificial Intelligence (COSP 17 Side Event).

Inclusive Employment meets Artificial Intelligence (COSP 17 Side Event)

This side event seeks to convene esteemed experts and practitioners to deliberate on strategies for harnessing AI-driven opportunities while

This side event seeks to convene esteemed experts and practitioners to deliberate on strategies for harnessing AI-driven opportunities while mitigating potential pitfalls, thereby fostering a more equitable and inclusive job market.

Inclusive Employment meets Artificial Intelligence (COSP 17 Side Event).

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Accessible crisis preparedness and crisis communication (COSP 17 Side Event).

Accessible crisis preparedness and crisis communication (COSP 17 Side Event)

A Nordic perspective on strengthening society's ability to prevent and manage crises and conflicts.

A Nordic perspective on strengthening society's ability to prevent and manage crises and conflicts.

What are the challenges associated with ensuring that crisis information is accessible to all individuals? In this side event, we will present perspectives on accessible crisis preparedness and crisis communication, as well as practices from Sweden, the Nordic countries, the EU, and the UN. Hosted by the government of Sweden and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Concept Note

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The importance of the online space for access to information.

This year, the global celebrations in Oxford, United Kingdom on 28 September 2023 will center around the theme of "the importance of the online space for access to information."

OPENING

Video presenting the International Day for Universal Access to Information (2 minutes)

Moderator: Mr James Deane, Co-founder of, and consultant to, the International Fund for Public Interest Media and former Director of Policy and Learning, BBC Media Action (UK)

Welcoming Remarks from Professor John Armour, incoming Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford

Opening Statement from Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and United Nations

Video Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO  

International Day for Universal Access to Information 2023

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High-Level Roundtable: Guaranteeing Access to Information in the Age of the Internet.

The high-level roundtable "Guaranteeing Access to Information in the Age of the Internet" will discuss access to information and internet shutdowns and restrictions in the context of the Vienna Declaration adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights, in 1993. It will call on effective access to the Internet and other digital technologies for the sake of ensuring fundamental human rights. 

Moderator: Mr James Deane, Co-founder of, and consultant to, the International Fund for Public Interest Media and former Director of Policy and Learning, BBC Media Action (UK)

Speakers:

Mr Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information (UNESCO)

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and the UN) and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (UK)

Mr Joe Powell, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Open Government Partnership)

Mr John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner (UK)

Ms Kate O'Regan, Director, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights of the University of Oxford (UK/South Africa)

Rapporteur: Ms Anjali Bhardwaj Sharma - National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information (India)

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Technology for Democracy and Sustainable Development - Panel discussion I

Panel 1 "Technology for Democracy and Sustainable Development" (in cooperation with Access Now and Freedom Online Coalition) will shed light on the complex dynamics and evolving landscape surrounding access to information in the digital era. This theme will encompass discussions on the challenges and opportunities posed by the internet, the significance of accessing information online, and the implications of internet shutdowns and online censorship. 

Moderator: Ms Mahsa Alimardani, ARTICLE 19 and Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford  (Iran/Canada)

Speakers:

Mr Kanbar Hossein Bor, Head of the Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK)

Mr Brett Solomon, Executive Director, Access Now (USA)

Mr Preetam Maloor, Head of the Emerging Technologies Division, International Telecommunication Union (ITU/online)

Ms Emilar Gandhi, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Policy Initiatives at Meta (UK/Zimbabwe)

Mr Hilmi Ghalib, Executive Director, Yemeni Organization for Development & Technology (Yemen)

Rapporteur: Ms Ilaria Fevola, Legal Officer, ARTICLE 19 (Italy) 

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The Official Ceremony of Signing the UNESCO-African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Memorandum of Understanding,

International Day for Universal Access to Information 2023

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Internet connectivity as an enabler of the ability to exercise rights online, with a particular focus on access to information - Panel Discussion

Panel 2 "Internet connectivity as an enabler of the ability to exercise rights online, with a particular focus on access to information" (in cooperation with Foianet and Article 19) will focus on the role of internet access in facilitating the exercise of rights online, and access to information. It will underscore the need for equal and unrestricted online access to foster open dialogue, diverses opinions, and the free flow of information.

Moderator: Mr. Toby Mendel, Chair, Freedom of Information Advocates Network (Canada) 

Speakers:

Ms Quinn McKew, Executive Director, ARTICLE 19 (USA)

Ms Celeste Fernandez, Co-director, Civil Association for Equality and Justice (Argentina)

Mr Marcelo Daher, Human Rights Officer, United Nations (OHCHR)

Ms Mitali Mukherjee, Acting Director, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford (UK/India)

Ms Emma Cantera, Lead on transparency and access to information, Public Governance Directorate (OECD)

Rapporteur: Mr Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director at Africa Freedom of Information Centre (Uganda)

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Judicial and Information regulators’ perspective on accessibility and Internet connectivity - Panel Discussion III

Panel 3 "Judicial and Information regulators’ perspective on accessibility and Internet connectivity" (in cooperation with the International Conference of Information Commissioners and representatives of the judiciary)  will focus on the legal frameworks and mechanisms to promote transparency, accountability, and access to information. Experts perspective will highlight the importance of fostering a conducive environment for access to information, addressing challenges and promoting best practices. 

Moderator: Ms Nicole Stremlau, rofessor of the University of Johannesburg and Head of the Comparative Media Law & Policy Program, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies of the University of Oxford (South Africa) 

Speakers: 

Ms Justice Atoki Dupe, Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (Nigeria)

Ms Helena Jäderblom, Justice and President, Supreme Administrative Court (Sweden)

Ms Blanca Lilia Ibarra Cadena, On behalf of the International Conference of Information Commissioners and President of the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Personal Data Protection of México (Mexico)

Mr Ricardo C. Pérez Manrique, President, Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Costa Rica)

Ms Lucy N’dungu, Information Commissioner, Office of the Ombudsman of Kenya (Kenya)

Rapporteur: Mr Joan Barata, Senior Legal Fellow at Justitia - Future of Free Speech (Spain)

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Internet Connectivity as an Enabler of the ability to Eercise Rights online, with a particular focus on Access to Information.

The International Day for Universal Access to Information 2023 is Thursday, September 28th; Join the UNESCO celebrations online or in person at Oxford.

International Day for Universal Access to Information 2023

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Why do you think online spaces are important for access to information?

Embrace the digital age to strengthen our freedoms and foster social progress on International Day for Access to Information and beyond.

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How can internet-based & online information influence the ability of Thai citizens to exercise their democratic rights and to fully participate in civil society?

In recognition of International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), on 28 September, the online public forum will take stock of how internet-based and online information have influenced the ability of Thai citizens to exercise their democratic rights and to fully participate in civil society.

Join us online on #AccessToInfoDay on September 28th to learn more!

UNESCO to host event on role of digital platforms for open access to information (ATI) in Thailand

In recognition of International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), on 28 September, the online public forum will take stock of

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Access to information is a fundamental human right.

We must stop arresting and detaining citizens for merely seeking information, watching movies or listening to songs from outside the country.

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Promote and uphold the fundamental right of the community to access government information.

The OAIC and other information commissioners and ombudsmen from across Australia join in our commitment to promote and uphold the fundamental right of the community to access government information. Read the OAIC joint statement.

Information commissioners and ombudsmen recognise importance of the online space in accessing information

Australia’s information commissioners and ombudsmen join in their commitment to promote and uphold the fundamental right of the community to

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Everyone has the right to seek and receive verified information.

Fighting misinformation, disinformation and hate speech is key for sustainable development and human rights. U.N. Secretary-General on International Day for Universal Acess to Information 2022.

International Day for Universal Access to Information | United Nations

In order to raise awareness of the importance of universal access to information, the UN General Assembly has proclaimed 28 September as Int

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The future of access to information; Ensuring complementarity between the right to information and personal data protection.

The OECD has played a significant role in promoting the importance of transparency – and access to information in particular – alongside the benefits of open government more broadly. At the same time, personal data protection and privacy are fundamental values which must continue to be protected by governments as they embrace the digital transformation and collect and store ever-vaster amounts of data. In this regard, emerging challenges for public administrations in taking a balanced approach to access to information and personal data protection have become evident in recent years and ensuring that neither are unduly restricted.

It is within this context that, increasingly, the institutional oversight bodies responsible for these policy areas are identifying synergies in safeguarding both interconnected rights. Although both are treated as separate legal frameworks in most countries and require different technical capacities and training, recognised complementarities are pushing governments to consider centralising these areas through a single institution. While not necessary, this dual responsibility can allow institutions to recognise and exploit connections between both policy areas and ensure that personal data and privacy are defended while still enabling full access to public information. 

This panel will focus on the linkages and tensions between access to information and personal data protection and discuss how public bodies can better understand them and find ways to enhance – rather than limit – both rights.

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AI and frontier technologies for Open Educational Resources (OER).

This OER Dynamic Coalition webinar joins the celebration of International Access to Information Day that this year is focussed on ‘ArtificialIntelligence, e-Governance and Access to Information’ and will explore AI and frontier technologies for Open Educational Resources (OER) and the potential of OER to contribute to accessing information to build back better.

During the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2019, UNESCO Member States adopted the UNESCO OER Recommendation, the only existing normative instrument in the area of technologies and education, calling on the Member States to undertake actions in five areas: (i) building capacity of stakeholders to create, access, re-use, adapt and redistribute OER; (ii) developing supportive policy; (iii) encouraging inclusive and equitable quality OER; (iv) nurturing the creation of sustainability models for OER, and (v) facilitating international cooperation.

The OER Dynamic Coalition was established further to the adoption of the UNESCO OER Recommendation by Member States at the 40th Session of the UNESCO General Conference in November 2019. The objective of the Dynamic Coalition is to support governments in implementing the OER Recommendation by promoting and reinforcing international and regional cooperation among all stakeholders in the first four areas of the UNESCO OER Recommendation.

In this perspective, in order to join the celebration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) , UNESCO is organising a webinar on the works followed by the OER Dynamic Coalition. The objective of the webinar is to provide an overview of AI and frontier technologies for Open Educational Resources (OER) and the potential of OER to contribute to accessing information to build back better.