Global Conference on Universal Access to Information - 2 October 2024

Last update:1 October 2024

Hosted by the government of Ghana and UNESCO on 1-2 October 2024, the theme of the 2024 Global Conference on Universal Access to Information is "Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector".

The two-days global conference will feature a high-level panel with several panel discussions to advance access to information.

Venue: Alisa Hotel North Ridge, Accra, Ghana.

PROGRAMME

9:00 鈥 9:10 鈥 Keynote Address: Public interest Override and Mainstreaming of Access to Information

  • Mr. Juan Barata, International Expert in Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (Spain) 

9:10 鈥 10:00 - Panel 5: Adoption of the Accra Statement 鈥淗arnessing the Power of Data for Positive Change: A Commitment to Access to Information鈥

Moderator

  • Ms. Dorothy Gordon, Digital Technology for Development Tactician (Ghana) 

Presenter of the Statement

  • Ms. Dube Hlengiwe, Project Manager, University of Pretoria (South Africa)

Speakers

  • Mr. Edetean Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (Nigeria) 
  • Mr. Guy Berger, Chair of the Board, Distinguished Fellow, Research ICT Africa (South Africa) 
  • Mr. Jerry Sam, Executive Director, PenPlusBytes (Ghana) 

Rapporteur

  • Mr. Bhanu Neupane, Advisor for Communication and Information, Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion Section (UNESCO) 

10:00 鈥 11:15 鈥 Panel 6: Sharing Best Practices from Africa and Small Island Developing States

Parallel Session C: African Access to Information Reformers & Champions 2024

Moderator

  • Mr. Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director, Africa Freedom of Information Center (Uganda) 

Speakers

  • Mr. Chikaiko Chadzunda, Chief Executive Officer, Central Medical Stores Trust (Malawi) 
  • Mr. Innocent-Primus Mungy, Head of Public Relations and Communication, Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology (United Republic of Tanzania) 
  • Mr. Dennis Obbo, Principal Information Scientist, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (Uganda) 
  • Mr. Dennis Mwafulirwa, Program Officer, Centre for Human Rights Rehabilitation (Malawi) 

Rapporteur  

  • Ms. Misako Ito, Regional Advisor for Communication and Information, Nairobi Office (UNESCO) 

 

Parallel Session D: Access to Information in the SIDS 鈥 Challenges and Opportunities

Moderator

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

Speakers

  • Ms. Stella Duburiya, Director of Human Rights (Nauru)
  • Ms. Mina Accouche, Information Analyst, Information Commission (Seychelles) 
  • Ms. Gitanjali Gutierrez, Information Commissioner, (Bermuda) (Video)
  • Ms. Raijeli Tuivaga, Director, Fiji Law Reform Commission (Fiji)

Rapporteur

  • Mr. Marius Lukosiunas, Advisor for Communication and Information, Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion Section (UNESCO) 

11:45 鈥 12:30 鈥 Panel 7: Mainstreaming for Agenda 2030 and Strengthening Media

Parallel Session E: Access to Information amplifies the media鈥檚 and civil society鈥檚 pursuit of transparency and accountability

Moderator

  • Mr. Kristjan Guy Burgess, Program Specialist, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists Section (UNESCO)

Speakers

  • Mr. Michel Forst, Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention 鈥 video
  • Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (Ghana) 
  • Mr. Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General, National Union of Somali Journalists (Somalia) 
  • Ms. Josephine Moulds, Journalist & Rainforest Investigations Fellow (UK) - Online
  • Ms. Patricia Watts, Director of the Technology Engagement Team of the Global Engagement Center (USA) - TBC 

Rapporteur

  • Mr. Lim Ming Kuok, Advisor for Communication and Information, Rabat Office (UNESCO)

 

Parallel Session F: Access to Information: Mainstreaming SDG鈥檚 Six Transitions in the Public Sector

Moderator: UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani

Speakers:

  • Edmond Moukala, Country Representative UNESCO Accra Office (UNESCO)
  • Mr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, Regional Director Food and Agriculture Organization (Regional Office for Africa) (FAO)
  • Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov, Representative AI and Deputy Resident (UNDP)
  • Issah Sugri, The Deputy Director of Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (Ghana)
  • Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, Ghana Statistical Service
  • Winnifred Nafisa Mahama, Ag. Director of Information Services Department (Ghana)

Rapporteur: Cynthia Prah-UN Information Centre (UNIC)

12:30 鈥 13:45 鈥 Panel 8: Mainstreaming Access to Information for Vulnerable Groups

Parallel Session G: Using access to information to reach women with essential municipal services

Moderator

  • Ms. Laura Neuman, Senior Advisor, Office of the Vice-President for Peace Programs, The Carter Center (USA)

Speakers

  • Mr. Godwin Gumisiriza, Manager Welfare & Community Services, Kampala Capital City Authority (Uganda) 
  • Ms. Onelia Roca, Director of Women鈥檚 Secretariat, Guatemala City (Guatemala)
  • Ms Rita Agyen Takyi, International Relations Advisor to the Mayor of Accra and Lead on Women Empowerment Programs (Ghana)
  • Ms. Nicky Brennan, Councilor and Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, Birmingham Municipality (UK) 

Rapporteur

  • Ms. Ingrid Mondet, Consultant, Universal Access to Information & Digital Inclusion Section (UNESCO) 

 

Parallel Session H 鈥 Mainstreaming ATI for Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Promoting Multinlingualism

Moderator

  • Mr. Jaco du Toit, Chief of Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion Section (UNESCO)

Speakers

  • Mr. Zahid Abdullah, former Federal Information Commissioner of Pakistan (Pakistan) 
  • Ms. Sarah Wesonga, Senior Programme Manager, Article 19 (Kenya) 
  • Ms. Mayra Lopez Pineda, former Coordinator for Transparency Programs, Regional Office of Article 19 for Mexico and Central America (Mexico) 
  • Mr. Alfred Bulakali, Regional Director, ARTICLE 19 - Senegal & West Africa (Senegal) 
  • Ms. Anjali Bhardwaj Sharma, Social Activist, National Campaign for Peoples鈥 Right to Information (India)

Rapporteur

  • Mr. Elvis Michel Kenmoe, Advisor for Communication and Information, Dakar Office (UNESCO) 

13:45 鈥 14:00 鈥 CLOSING REMARKS

  • Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, Minister of Information, Ministry of Information of Ghana (Ghana)

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

     

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