Right to Know Week is here
The purpose of Right to Know Week is to raise awareness of our rights to access government information. Right to Know also promotes freedom of information as an essential element to both democracy and good governance.
Fast Facts:
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Right to Know Week is celebrated in Canada from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 2015.
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In 2002, the decision to dedicate Sept. 28 to the promotion of freedom of information around the world was made on the final day of an international meeting of access to information advocates held in Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Representatives of freedom of information (FOI) organizations from 15 countries took part in the first International Right to Know Day (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, India, Latvia, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa and the United States) along with representatives of international organizations active in the FOI field.
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Since then, the popularity and scope of the day has grown immensely. In Canada, for example, Right to Know Day has expanded into a coast-to-coast, week-long event. Celebrations include awards, conferences, panel discussions, workshops, seminars, and the tabling of special reports and studies on access to information.
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Approximately 40 countries and 60 non-governmental organizations participate in the annual celebration of Right to Know Day.
Did you know?
In 1766, Sweden became the first country to adopt FOI rules with the Freedom of the Press Act. Today more than 90 countries around the world have introduced freedom of information legislation. British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act was first enacted in 1993.
More Info
Click here for more information about Right to Know events occurring across Canada.
For more information about Right to Know Week, visit www.righttoknow.ca
