Right to Information Empowerment Programme - Right to Information Training for NGOs from India
The Public Affairs Centre conducted an introductory training programme on right to information - capacity building, advocacy and strategic litigation for Indian NGOs from 21st – 24th of January 2007 in Bangalore. Fifteen Indian NGO activists working in the field of good governance, human rights or development with an interest in taking up right to information advocacy, capacity building or strategic litigation projects to improve the implementation of the Right to Information Act of 2005 and its utilisation for democracy, good governance and human rights protection 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 its utilisation 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, capacity building or strategic litigation projects in the field of right to information in order to improve right to information legislation as well as its implementation or utilisation in India
Therefore, the training contained an overview of the international human rights system, international and national law on right to information as well as advocacy, capacity building and strategic litigation strategies in the field of right to information. The training focused on the Indian Right to Information Act of 2005 and its utilisation as a tool for democracy, good governance and the fulfilment of other human rights.
The training combined presentations with practical work, such as 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 or capacity building 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 India.
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.
LINKS TO RELEVANT RIGHT TO INFORMATION TRAINING PROGRAMME DOCUMENTS
PowerPoint presentations:
· PowerPoint Presentation – Palyam Suresh: The right to information in India
· PowerPoint presentation – Cyril W. Vas: Advocacy for the right to information, Public Affairs Centre
Group work
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/ 19/ 20
E-mail: sbenzingbalzer@yahoo.com, sabine@pacindia.org or pacindia@vsnl.com