This year, the international conference celebrating September 28 – the International Right-to-Know Day, recognized by UNESCO in 2015 and by the United Nations in 2019 as International Day for Universal Access to Information, was held in Manila, the Philippines. Hundreds of participants from information commissions and commissioners, non-governmental organizations, diplomats, and journalists from around the world discussed this year’s theme: “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age”.
Alexander Kashumov, Executive Director of the Access to Information Programme (AIP), reminded participants that the Right-to-Know Day was established on September 28, 2002, in Sofia, Bulgaria, by representatives of civil society organizations from around the world at a conference organized by AIP. He presented specific cases and court proceedings supported by the organization, as well as new challenges related to SLAPP lawsuits (strategic lawsuits against public participation) targeting journalists and civic activists who file information requests.
In the panel on the role of civil society, speakers included one representative each from Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Europe. The main hosts and co-organizers were UNESCO and the Government of the Philippines, together with the Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIANET)—which was also founded in Sofia on September 28, 2002.
