International Day for Universal Access to Information 2023

OPENING

• Video presenting the International Day for Universal Access to Information (2 minutes)

Moderator: Mr James Deane, Co-founder of, and consultant to, the International Fund for Public Interest Media and former Director of Policy and Learning, BBC Media Action (UK)

• Welcoming Remarks from Professor John Armour, incoming Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford
• Opening Statement from Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and United Nations
• Video Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO  
   

High-Level Roundtable: Guaranteeing Access to Information in the Age of the Internet

The high-level roundtable "Guaranteeing Access to Information in the Age of the Internet" discussed access to information and internet shutdowns and restrictions in the context of the Vienna Declaration adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights, in 1993. It called on effective access to the Internet and other digital technologies for the sake of ensuring fundamental human rights. 

Moderator: Mr James Deane, Co-founder of, and consultant to, the International Fund for Public Interest Media and former Director of Policy and Learning, BBC Media Action (UK)

Speakers:

• Mr Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information (UNESCO)
• Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and the UN) and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (UK)
• Mr Joe Powell, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Open Government Partnership)
• Mr John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner (UK)
• Ms Kate O'Regan, Director, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights of the University of Oxford (UK/South Africa)

Rapporteur: Ms Anjali Bhardwaj Sharma - National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information (India)

Panel 1: Technology for Democracy and Sustainable Development

Panel 1 "Technology for Democracy and Sustainable Development" (in cooperation with Access Now and Freedom Online Coalition) shed light on the complex dynamics and evolving landscape surrounding access to information in the digital era. This theme encompassed discussions on the challenges and opportunities posed by the internet, the significance of accessing information online, and the implications of internet shutdowns and online censorship. 

Moderator: Ms Mahsa Alimardani, ARTICLE 19 and Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford  (Iran/Canada)

Speakers:

• Mr Kanbar Hossein Bor, Head of the Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK)
• Mr Brett Solomon, Executive Director, Access Now (USA)
• Mr Preetam Maloor, Head of the Emerging Technologies Division, International Telecommunication Union (ITU/online)
• Ms Emilar Gandhi, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Policy Initiatives at Meta (UK/Zimbabwe)
• Mr Hilmi Ghalib, Executive Director, Yemeni Organization for Development & Technology (Yemen)

Rapporteur: Ms Ilaria Fevola, Legal Officer, ARTICLE 19 (Italy) 

Panel 2: Internet Connectivity as an Enabler of the Ability to Exercise Rights Online, with a Particular Focus on ATI

Panel 2 "Internet connectivity as an enabler of the ability to exercise rights online, with a particular focus on access to information" (in cooperation with Foianet and Article 19) focused on the role of internet access in facilitating the exercise of rights online, and access to information. It underscored the need for equal and unrestricted online access to foster open dialogue, diverses opinions, and the free flow of information.

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

Speakers:

• Ms Quinn McKew, Executive Director, ARTICLE 19 (USA)
• Ms Celeste Fernandez, Co-director, Civil Association for Equality and Justice (Argentina)
• Mr Marcelo Daher, Human Rights Officer, United Nations (OHCHR)
• Ms Mitali Mukherjee, Acting Director, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford (UK/India)
• Ms Emma Cantera, Lead on transparency and access to information, Public Governance Directorate (OECD)

Rapporteur: Mr Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director at Africa Freedom of Information Centre (Uganda)

Panel 3: Judicial and Information Regulators’ Perspective on Accessibility and Internet Connectivity

Panel 3 "Judicial and Information regulators’ perspective on accessibility and Internet connectivity" (in cooperation with the International Conference of Information Commissioners and representatives of the judiciary) focused on the legal frameworks and mechanisms to promote transparency, accountability, and access to information. Experts perspective highlighted the importance of fostering a conducive environment for access to information, addressing challenges and promoting best practices. 

Moderator: Ms Nicole Stremlau, rofessor of the University of Johannesburg and Head of the Comparative Media Law & Policy Program, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies of the University of Oxford (South Africa) 

Speakers: 

• Ms Justice Atoki Dupe, Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (Nigeria)
• Ms Helena Jäderblom, Justice and President, Supreme Administrative Court (Sweden)
• Ms Blanca Lilia Ibarra Cadena, On behalf of the International Conference of Information Commissioners and President of the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Personal Data Protection of México (Mexico)
• Mr Ricardo C. Pérez Manrique, President, Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Costa Rica)
• Ms Lucy N’dungu, Information Commissioner, Office of the Ombudsman of Kenya (Kenya)

Rapporteur: Mr Joan Barata, Senior Legal Fellow at Justitia - Future of Free Speech (Spain)

CLOSING REMARKS

• Mr Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information (UNESCO)
• Ms Kate O'Regan, Director, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights of the University of Oxford (UK/South Africa) 
• Mr Kanbar Hossein Bor, Head of the Democratic Governance and Media Freedom Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK)