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IRMT - Info for Accountability - apologies for bad formatting



Some of you may have received this in a format which was difficult to read - hopefully this is better. Apologies for the inconvenience and for cross posting.
 
PRESS RELEASE
9 November 2000

 
Information for Accountability Workshop Workbook and Sourcebook
are now available


The International Records Management Trust, Rights and Records Institute is pleased to announce the availability of the Workbook and Sourcebook for the Information for Accountability Workshops.  These can be downloaded from:  http://www.irmt.org/index2.html

The Danish Trust Fund for Governance, administered by the World Bank, and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy provided funding for these tools.


What is an Information for Accountability Workshop?

The workshops provide government officials with a methodology to identify and respond to citizens' legitimate demands for information about government programmes.  The aim is to encourage the public sector to educate citizens about what is information is publicly available and how they may obtain it, but also what is not and why not.  Workshops provide a starting point for the Government to determine what kind of information it needs to demonstrate accountability to citizens and, therefore, which information systems are most critical to allow transparency of public services.  Ultimately, the availability of more information should enhance the public's confidence in government.
Why is a workshop needed?
 
One measure of good government should be the development of a clear and well-established consultative process that involves the input of citizens at various stages.  For this to occur there must be open channels of communication and a free flow of relevant information; this includes knowing what information is available, how to obtain it and how to appeal to government if information is withheld. 

Citizens know they can ask their elected officials to answer their queries.  However, they also know that obtaining a response from government regularly requires perseverance, grit and courage.  In an environment where information is withheld there will be inevitable tensions and mistrust; citizens can feel that government is somehow responsible for their misfortunes.  The aim of the workshop is to increase access to information in order to develop a more informed civil society and provide the means for greater participation in government.
Who will it serve?

The workshop is designed to bring together senior government officials and members of legislature and civil society organisations to discuss the problems of access to information.  Organs of civil society are entitled to know the business of government because government is mandated to take actions on behalf of citizens.  In turn, Government will benefit from increased participation by gaining broad-based support for programmes and reforms. 
How can the Workbook be used?
 
The Information for Accountability Workshops methodology is made available in the Workbook, the companion volume to this Sourcebook.  The two should be used in tandem.

The workbook provides the reader with tools for holding a successful Information for Accountability Workshop to facilitate improvements in access to public sector information.

WHO?:  The workbook identifies the types of people that should participate in the workshop. The aim is to bring together members of the government, the legislature and representatives of civil society and the media.  The discussion will be structured to allow the expectations and misconceptions on both sides to be identified. The workbook describes the type of people who should be involved and the roles they play in government and society.

HOW?:  The workbook provides practical instructions to help you plan and run a successful Information for Accountability Workshop. Help given includes step-by-step guidance on forming a planning committee, setting up the workshop, identifying participants and developing the workshop programme. It also provides advice on raising the profile of the workshop with appropriate publicity measures and obtaining funding.
How can the Sourcebook be used?
 
The sourcebook should be used in conjunction with the workbook.  It makes available the most relevant background information gathered in developing the methodology and running pilot workshops.  We hope this information will be of use to those who wish to run their own workshops or to make some other contribution in this area.
What is the Rights and Records Institute and what on-going support can it provide?
 
The Rights and Records Institute is an operating division of the International Records Management Trust.  The Institute's mission is to empower developing country governments to manage recorded information in support of citizens' rights and to make public service delivery more efficient, cost effective and transparent.  The International Records Management Trust is a legally registered charity with six trustees.  It works on a non-profit, cost recovery basis.  The Trust was established to define and facilitate the introduction of methodologies for managing records as a core part of the business of government and to work toward articulating the significance of the records profession to public officials. 

The Institute will be pleased to provide support to organisations wishing to use the materials but can only do so if there are funds to cover the costs.  For instance, it can help to adapt materials to different country contexts, work with organisers to facilitate the setting up of workshops, and advise organisers on selecting participants and case study materials.
What is the relationship to Transparency International?
 
Transparency International (TI) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation, established to highlight corruption internationally and through its national chapters.  It seeks to address corruption through international and national coalitions that encourage governments to establish and implement effective laws, policies and anti-corruption programmes.  TI works to strengthen public support and understanding for anti-corruption programmes and enhance transparency and accountability in international business transactions and in public administration. 

The Trust takes sole responsibility for the contents of the workshop programme, but it co-operates with TI and its national chapters.  There is a natural relationship between the Trust and TI because transparency is reliant upon open access to information and records.  Specifically, the workshop approach is derived from a methodology developed by TI and the broad design for the Information for Accountability Workshops was agreed between the Trust and TI and select national chapters. 

___________________________________________________________________________

If you want to know more about the Information for Accountability Workshops, please contact:

Piers Cain
Director
Rights and Records Institute
International Records Management Trust
12 John Street
London WC1N 2EB, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7831 4101
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7831 7404
Email: pcain@irmt.org
http://www.irmt.org