Central Africa Regional Conference on Access to Information

Yaoundé, 1 October 2024 - In commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), UNESCO Yaoundé is set to host a high-profile online conference on the theme "Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector."

Set for 1 October 2024, this event seeks to mobilize stakeholders across Central Africa to discuss and promote the vital right of citizens to access public information so as to contribute significantly in fostering transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.

Celebrated annually on September 28, the International Day for Universal Access to Information highlights the significance of access to information as a fundamental human right. This year, the focus is on how effective access to information can empower citizens, enhance public trust in institutions, and promote civic engagement. The conference to be attended by Ministers in charge of Communication and/or Information will provide a platform for governments, civil society organizations, and information advocates to review state of the related legal framework, discuss further possibilities of improvement, exchange best practices and explore innovative strategies including synergies for integrating access to information into the organizational cultures of public authorities and institutions.

The webinar will delve into several key areas including the normative framework for implementing access to information policies in Central Africa, how ICTs can provide a response to the challenges linked to limited access to information during electoral processes, and the promotion of participatory democracy.

UNESCO invites all interested stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, media professionals, communication scholars and specialists, researchers, and activists, to join this important dialogue so as to lay together the groundwork for a more informed and engaged citizenship; enhancing the fabric of democratic governance throughout Central Africa.