Right to Information Empowerment Programme – Right to Information Training for NGOs from Bangladesh and Nepal
The Public Affairs Centre conducted an introductory training programme on right to information - advocacy and strategic litigation for Bangladeshi and Nepali NGOs from 18th – 21st of March 2007 in Kathmandu. Nine Bangladeshi and nine Nepali NGO activists working in the field of good governance, human rights or development with an interest in taking up right to information advocacy or strategic litigation projects participated in this training programme.
The training had two objectives:
· To increase the knowledge on international and national right to information standards and procedures and the utilisation of the right to information as a tool for democracy, good governance and the fulfilment of other human rights (e.g. freedom of expression, right to education, right to health, right to food, right to development etc.).
· To strengthen the NGO activists`s skills to take up advocacy or strategic litigation projects in the field of right to information in order to force the government of Bangladesh and Nepal to enact and implement an effective right to information regime.
Therefore, the training contained an overview of the international human rights system, international and national law on right to information, content of an effective right to information regime, as well as advocacy and strategic litigation strategies in the field of right to information. The training focused on the enactment and implementation of a right to information law in Bangladesh and Nepal as well as on the utilisation of the right to information as a tool for democracy, good governance and the fulfilment of other human rights.
The training combined presentations with practical work, such as small group work.
Participants were selected based on the following organisational and professional criteria:
1. Participants were selected from NGOs, which intend to work on right to information.
2. NGOs have demonstrated capacity to engage in advocacy work. However, the NGOs are NOT required to do their own litigation work or provide legal aid to be selected for the training.
3. Participants are staff members of their NGOs in positions, which will enable them to carry through the benefits of the training.
4. Participants have experience of working with marginalised groups (minorities, women etc.).
5. Participants have working knowledge in English and live in Bangladesh or Nepal.
6. Public Affairs Centre aimed to ensure that at least 50% of participants are women. Public Affairs Centre also aimed for a geographical balance in the selection of participants.
The training was held in English.
Resource Kit
PowerPoint presentations:
· PowerPoint presentation – Venkatesh Nayak: Drafting a best practice right to information law, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
· PowerPoint presentation – Cyril W. Vas: Advocacy for the right to information, Public Affairs Centre
For further information on this training programme or future training programmes please visit the LEARN MORE section and PUBLICATION section of this website or contact:
Sabine Benzing-Balzer
Project Coordinator – Right to Information Empowerment Programme
Public Affairs Centre
No. 15 KIADB Industrial Area
Brommasandra – Jigani Link Road
Anekal Taluk
Bangalore – 562106
Telephone Number: +91 - 80 - 27834918
E-mail: sbenzingbalzer@yahoo.com, sabine@pacindia.org or pacindia@vsnl.com