Promoting Access to Information as a Driver for Sustainable Development
Sandra Musoga Waswa, Acting Regional Director, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa
On 25th and 26th September 2019, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa in collaboration with UNESCO and the Journalism & Media International Center of OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway, sought to undertake two major activities in commemoration of the “International Day of Universal Access to Information 2019”.
The first activity was a two-day National Workshop for media stakeholders focusing on “The Role of Media in Development; Media in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals”. The workshop then culminated in a gala dinner themed: “Promoting Access to Information as a Driver for Sustainable Development” which was held on the evening of the second day.
The objective of the workshop was to sensitize and build capacity for the media in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals. As such, it targeted 25 journalists from different counties in Kenya: Nairobi, Turkana, Kakamega, Vihiga, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kisumu, Makueni, Embu, Kitui, Taita Taveta, Voi and Kiambu County.
The national workshop emphasized on the role of the media in realizing SDG 16.10 ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
On the evening of the second day the International Day of Universal Access to Information was commemorated in style at a gala dinner held in conjunction with the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) who are the custodians of ATI in Kenya.
The dinner sought to bring together relevant government bodies, civil society, private bodies and media stakeholders and engaging them as crucial players in the formation of a vibrant community of access to information ambassadors in the country.
Lucy Ndung´u, Access to Information Commissioner gave the keynote address
