International Day for Universal Access to Information 2024; September 28th.

FORUM: "Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector." International Day for Universal Access to Information 2024. UNESCO and its partners will celebrate this day worldwide through advocacy activities, panel discussions, and global conversations with experts, highlighting the latest trends and best practices with regards to access to information.The Participants will discuss access to information and its importance especially in the digital era. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #IDUAI, #28september, #RightToKnow, #Onlinespace #AccesstoinfoDay, #Artificialintelligence.

EVENTS: The theme of the 2024 Global Conference on Universal Access to Information is "Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector". Hosted by the government of Ghana and UNESCO will be held from 1-2 October 2024, the International Day of Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) serves as a platform to assess progress made in promoting access to information since the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. While significant strides have been taken, there remains a pressing need to accelerate progress globally. This conference aligns with the International Day for Universal Access to Information, observed annually on September 28th. The IDUAI 2024 Global Conference aims to explore how mainstreaming Access to Information (ATI) laws across government sectors can enhance the right to information. Throughout the conference, government representatives and civil society actors will demonstrate how access to information policies are implemented across diverse government entities. Additionally, there will be a focus on the role of non-governmental actors in ensuring policy coherence for ATI implementation across both public and private sectors. The conference's main objective is to offer Governments and civil society a list of best practices for mainstreaming the right to information into the organisational systems and culture of different public authorities. Emphasizing African experiences, the conference will underscore the benefits of access to information in fostering peaceful and inclusive societies conducive to sustainable development.

STATEMENTS: "UNESCO works to protect and promote access to information as a fundamental human right and an essential step towards attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of these efforts, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information – recognizing its role in development, democracy and equality." Mrs. Audrey Azoulay; Director-General of UNESCO.