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Course Name: Fostering Inclusive Participation Lesson Name: Access to Information Topic Name: Lesson Overview Page 1: Welcome to the “Access to Information” lesson. I’ll be your guide. This lesson will help you understand access to information as a human rights issue and why it is central to UNDP's poverty reduction mandate and support for democratic governance. Page 2: Lesson Objectives By the end of this lesson, you should have a better understanding of: Trends, concepts and issues relating to access to information How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins initiatives to eradicate poverty and is crucial to achieving the Millennium Development Goals UNDP’s pro-poor approach to supporting access to information Specific areas of programming support Practical tips for programming and where to find further information Topic Name: Trends, Concepts and Issues Page 1: Topic Objectives Welcome to the ‘Trends, Concepts and Issues’ topic. This topic discusses what we mean by access to information and other related terms. By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of: Recent trends impacting access to information Access to information and freedom of expression as international human rights issues The differences between public, private and state broadcasting models and challenges related to their existence and coexistence Communication for empowerment The importance of conflict sensitive reporting in areas of violent conflict Page 2: Background and Context Efforts are underway by the UNDP and other actors to establish a good regulatory

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Course Name: Fostering Inclusive ParticipationLesson Name: Access to Information Topic Name: Lesson Overview Page 1: Welcome to the “Access to Information” lesson. I’ll be your guide. This lesson will help you understand access to information as a human rights issue and why it is central to UNDP's poverty reduction mandate and support for democratic governance. Page 2: Lesson Objectives By the end of this lesson, you should have a better understanding of:

• Trends, concepts and issues relating to access to information • How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins

initiatives to eradicate poverty and is crucial to achieving the Millennium Development Goals

• UNDP’s pro-poor approach to supporting access to information • Specific areas of programming support • Practical tips for programming and where to find further information

Topic Name: Trends, Concepts and Issues Page 1: Topic Objectives Welcome to the ‘Trends, Concepts and Issues’ topic. This topic discusses what we mean by access to information and other related terms. By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of:

• Recent trends impacting access to information • Access to information and freedom of expression as international human

rights issues • The differences between public, private and state broadcasting models and

challenges related to their existence and coexistence • Communication for empowerment • The importance of conflict sensitive reporting in areas of violent conflict

Page 2: Background and Context Efforts are underway by the UNDP and other actors to establish a good regulatory

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environment and working structure for public and private communication in developing countries. At the same time, a push is developing to make the media more participatory by empowering the disadvantaged and giving them a greater say in:

• The content and • The production of media content

However political tensions and insecurity, media privatisation and new technologies have a significant impact on access to information.

• Insecurity can lead to increased government surveillance, censorship and ‘national security’ restrictions.

• Government media control can threaten the promotion of public service legislation which aims to safeguard the public interest in programming.

• Increasing privatisation of the media, while often a welcome source of fundingand diversification, has also led to trends whereby content is being shaped by the demands of advertisers and sponsors rather than public interest factors. In this context, even if state-funded media are committed to retaining public interest content, it may find it difficult to retain its audience in the face of competition by private media outlets focusing on entertainment and sensationalist news.

• While new communication technologies such as the internet and email open for a freer exchange of information and cheaper equipment, censorship is a major threat.

It is often necessary to find a balance between national security demands and privacy concerns on the one hand and access to information and communication on the other. Page 3: Access to Information is a Human Right: Article 19 Access to information and freedom of expression are international human rights. Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." Similarly, article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) reiterates that the right to freedom of expression includes not only freedom to "impart information and ideas of all kinds", but also freedom to "seek" and "receive" them "regardless of frontiers" and in whatever medium. Click the button on screen to read a country list for access to information laws (2006). Click the button on screen to view a map

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of access to information laws (2006). Page 4: How is Access to Information Connected to Other Freedoms? Freedom will be bereft of all effectiveness if the people have no access to information. Access to information is basic to the democratic way of life. The tendency to withhold information from the people at large is therefore to be strongly checked. – Abid Hussain, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression (1995). The human right to access information is important for the development of democratic societies. Crucially it contributes to:

• Creating more open and democratic societies • Challenging corruption • Enhancing transparency • Reducing poverty.

According to UN General Assembly Resolution 59(l) of 1946: "Freedom of information is a touch-stone of all freedoms to which the UN is consecrated." Click the Examples icon on screen to view an example of how a small activist in the north Indian state of Rajasthan has highlighted ways of combating specific instances of corruption. Page 5: Access to Information UNDP uses the term access to information to include both: 1. Freedom of expression and 2. The right to information It also encompasses the understanding that providing information is not enough; that information must also be accessible to everyone. Access to information therefore:

• Is not only about promoting and protecting rights to information but is equallyconcerned with promoting and protecting communication (the use of information).

• Implies that people must have the ability to voice their views, participate in

democratic processes at all levels (community, national, regional and global)

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and set priorities for action. Page 6: Freedom of Expression Freedom of expression refers to the free flow of information and ideas and emphasises the communication dimension of access to information. However, the term is used within international conceptions of human rights to include not just freedom of speech but the protection of any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. It therefore embraces cultural expression and the arts as much as political speech and implies not just protection of the media and individuals to freely express themselves, but their right to official information. How does your country deal with freedom of expression? Click the icon on screen to view an enlarged image. Click the Examples icon on screen to view an example of how freedom of expressioncan be hotly contested. Click the Quick Facts icon on screen to view the ten most censored countries in 2006. Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about the freedom of expression. Page 7: Right to Information Freedom of expression and the right to information held by public authorities are related but different concepts, emphasising different aspects of access to information. The right to information is not only about the existence of legislation – it also depends on the content of that legislation, its legal guarantees and the scope of the legislation. But the right to information also depends on there being effective measures for implementing the right. In other words, there must be:

• Efficient and well-organised information management systems • An open culture within the civil service • Practices within organisations and society as a whole that make

information readily available. Click the icon on screen to view an enlarged image.

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Click the Important to Know icon on screen to view the minimum international standards legislation must meet. Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about the Right to Information. Page 8: Public Versus Private Information Public versus private information is a prevailing issue in many countries and is hereexamined in the context of three main media control models. 1. Public Service Broadcasting 2. Private or Commercial Broadcasting 3. Direct Supervision of State Authorities The different models are not mutually exclusive and can coexist. Click each model to learn about its features. Click the Important to Know icon on screen to find out what can happen when public service functions are taken over by private sector organisations. Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about the broadcasting models. Page 9: Communication for Development and Empowerment How do you think Communication can help Development? Communication for empowerment and communication for development are concepts that are used interchangeably and focus on the use of participatory approaches that aim to empower disadvantaged communities. Traditional approaches to media development have focused almost exclusively on the mass media and national communications structures, relying on them for representation of disadvantaged communities. Similarly, communications interventions by NGOs and international organisations have preferred to use the mass media to spread development messages, in what is known as the diffusion approach. However, increasingly both media development and development communications practitioners are considering ways of increasing the visibility and power of the disadvantaged by using more local and participatory ways of communicating. A focus on community media could help to promote two-way and bottom-up communication. The point is to avoid top-down media programming that does not understand local problems and to make it easier for people to have their voices

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heard. Click the Important to Know icon to learn more about the aim of Communication for Empowerment. Click the Resources icon on screen to read the Practical Guidance Note on Communication. Page 10: Conflict and Communication In unstable regions it becomes particularly important to be aware of the kind of messages that are projected through communications channels such as the media. Highly politicised and even propagandist messages can inflame tensions and polarise societies. Even ordinary media which can be adversarial and focused on dramatic events and bad news, when seen through a prism of instability, can exacerbate tensions. In response some are advocating for conflict sensitive reporting by journalists that is careful to include:

• More context • More reasoned debate • More victim perspectives • Ordinary people

…rather than focusing predominantly on explosions, antagonisms and authority figures. International organisations are also actively involved in media projects that seek to promote peace and dialogue. In addition, NGOs are developing several innovative communications projects to promote peace. Building on experiences from other development communications projects NGOs are developing a range of innovative peace interventions. Sudden liberalisation of communication channels as part of democratisation interventions, where not accompanied by adequate regulatory measures, can also contribute to violent conflict. In Rwanda, rapid and under-regulated liberalisation of the media gave room for radio stations to play a role in inciting the 1994 genocide. Balancing liberalisation and regulation must be based on a judgement of the social and political climate. Click the Examples icon on screen to view an example of how the U.N. has used peace radio interventions. Click the Quick Facts icon on screen to view a range of innovative peace interventions developed by NGOs. Click the Resources icon on screen to access additional resources in the area of

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conflict and access to information. Page 14: Topic Summary You have successfully completed this topic. You should now have a better understanding of:

• Recent trends impacting access to information • Access to information and freedom of expression as international human

rights issues • The differences between public, private and state broadcasting models and

challenges related to their existence and coexistence • Communication for empowerment • The importance of conflict sensitive reporting in areas of violent conflict

Topic Name: Access to Information and Development Page 1: Topic Objectives Welcome to the ‘Access to Information and Development’ topic. By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of:

• How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins initiatives to eradicate poverty and is crucial to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

• How access to information can strengthen development processes. Page 2: Why is Access to Information Important for Development? Access to information has intrinsic value as an international human right. But it also has instrumental value because it is crucial to democratic governance and therefore central to reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. In short, access to information is important for development because it:

• Increases participation and • Reduces poverty

Click each button to learn more about how access to information deals with each aspect.

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Page 3: Why is Access to Information Important for Development? Here are some examples. Click the Bolivian flag for an example of how the people of Cochabamba campaigned against the fraudulent activities of a water company. Click the Brazilian flag for an example of how corruption within the Collor administration ended his presidency. Page 4: How can Access to Information Strengthen Development Processes? There are three prerequisites for access to information to enhance development processes: 1. An enabling environment 2. Effective implementation of access to information interventions 3. Empowered vulnerable groups Over the next few pages, we'll examine each prerequisite. Page 5: What Makes an Environment "Enabling" for Access to Information? Good access to information depends on a robust and effective legal and regulatory environment which protects and promotes the right to information. It also requires a culture of openness and transparency in government, the private sector and wider society. Right to information legislation and policies are necessary to protect and promote access to information. The right to information can be guaranteed in a number of ways, as seen in the table. In the next page, we will see how information became key to the liberation movement in South Africa. Page 6: An Enabling Environment - Example The scope of right to information legislation may vary. It may cover only public bodies, it may exclude particular public organisations, or it may include the private sector, as in the case of South Africa. Click the South African flag on screen to view the example.

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Page 7: Effective Implementation Rules alone have little impact where there is a lack of political will, capacity and capability of society to monitor their implementation. To be effective, constitutional provisions require a mature legal system. And of course, information is useless unless it is also delivered in a medium that people can use. To enhance development processes, modes for disseminating and communicating information must not only be effective, but appropriate and relevant to the most vulnerable groups - women, poor people, young people and marginalisedminorities. A number of factors determine whether information is relevant including:

• Literacy • Language barriers • Associated costs • The gender of users • Location

Page 8: Effective Implementation - Example Click the Ethiopian flag for an example of how legislation has not been implemented effectively in Ethiopia. Click the Serbian flag for an example of how legislation has not been implemented effectively in Serbia. Page 9: Empowerment of Citizens, especially of Marginalised Groups Access to information and communication channels ultimately enable people to participate in decision-making processes, to shape opinions and to influence decisions that affect them. Poor and vulnerable groups often:

• Lack information that is vital to their lives - information on basic rights and entitlements, public services, health, education, work opportunities, public spending budgets and so on.

• Lack visibility and a voice in the public sphere to enable them to define and influence policy priorities and access resources.

Development interventions have a crucial role to play in expanding this benefit to

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marginalised groups, especially women and poor people, by empowering them with the capacity to find information and use communication channels effectively. Gender is a critical consideration in initiatives to improve access to information. The different information needs of men and women and the lack of data on women's specific needs, in particular, presents important challenges for organisations trying toinitiate access to information programmes in order to meet the MDGs. Page 12: Topic Summary You have successfully completed this topic. You should now have a better understanding of:

• How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins initiatives to eradicate poverty and is crucial to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

• How access to information can strengthen development processes. Topic Name: UNDP's Understanding of Access to Information Page 1: Topic Objectives Welcome to the topic on ‘UNDP’s Understanding of Access to Information ’. This topic will help you understand UNDP's approach to access to information and how this relates to UNDP’s central objective: to reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of:

• UNDP’s conceptual framework on access to information • The centrality of the pro-poor focus on UNDP’s access to information work • UNDP’s key function of enhancing the supply of and demand for information • Specific areas of programming support

Page 2: Understanding Access to Information Access to information has two components:

• Information and • Communication

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For good access to information:

• People must have the right and ability to obtain information of all types. • There must be good communication, or flow of information, of all types to and

from people and organisations of all kinds. These dual components of information and communication represent UNDP's conceptual framework for access to information. Page 3: Information Information can be held by:

• Governments • Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) • Communities • The Private Sector and • Individuals

Stakeholders include:

• Information creators • Information users and • Intermediaries of communication flows

Official information is extremely important and represents one of the many information types that ordinary people need in order to make informed decisions...

• On matters that affect their lives • To hold duty bearers to account • To claim their rights

It can include information on issues as varied as:

• Patients' rights in public hospitals • Public procurement processes • The budget allocations to line ministries and local governments and • Services that authorities must provide with their allocated funds, etc.

Click the Philippines flag on screen to view an example of how information was used to impeach the President of the Philippines.

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Page 4: Communication Communication implies action and interaction. To communicate is to:

• Share and exchange ideas and information and • Express one's opinions and preferences

Information stakeholders use a range of communication channels and mechanisms toseek, receive, use and share information. Page 5: The Information-Communication Circle The information and communication circle illustrates how access to information and communication relate to the key governance principles of:

• Transparency • Active participation • Responsiveness and • Accountability

The circle demonstrates how access to information can increase the demand for better governance and by doing so perpetuate its own demand. Each circle requires the development of specific capacities for generating, accessing, analysing information and communicating views. Click the Resources icon on screen to read the Practice Note on Access to Information. Page 6: The Guiding Principle: Pro-Poor Orientation UNDP's mandate is to reduce poverty. Its priorities reflect a specific commitment to the MDGs specifically and the Millennium Declaration in general. UNDP's position on access to information reflects this commitment. Its one central objective is to ensure that all people, including vulnerable and marginalised people, have access to information to participate in decisions and policy-making processes. Access to information is a core empowerment tool. It underpins and cross-cuts all interventions and programmes for reducing poverty and improving democratic governance.

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In short, all UNDP's activities to support access to information initiatives should have a pro-poor orientation. Page 7: UNDP's Position To meet these objectives, UNDP takes the following position on access to information:

• Implementing the rights to freedom of expression and access to information are pre-requisites for ensuring everyone has the voice and ability to participate that is necessary for a democratic society.

• Access to information and communication build on these internationally recognised rights and encompass the core principles of democratic governance: participation, transparency and accountability.

• Promoting and protecting both access to information and flows of information are of equal importance.

• Creating and strengthening means of communication is essential, especially those mechanisms that enable poor people to influence national and local government policy and practice.

Page 8: How can UNDP make a Difference? Access to information is a sensitive subject, but UNDP is well placed to do the job of promoting it by virtue of its comparative advantages:

• Its unique relationship with governments • Its ability to convene stakeholders • Its expertise and experience in democratic governance

Beyond these, crucial functions UNDP can carry out are:

• Strengthening mechanisms that will improve the supply of information • Developing the capacities of organisations and individuals to demand more

information Stop for a moment -- what is the information and communication culture like in your country? How are the capacities for demanding and supplying information? Click the Demand and Supply button on screen to see what activities these include. Click the Resources icon on screen to read the Information and Documentation Disclosure Policy.

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Page 9: Access to Information Support Areas There are three principal and closely interrelated areas where UNDP can provide support:

• Improving the right to information • Strengthening communication • Strengthening the media

The three areas are closely interrelated. By making a difference in one area, UNDP can make a difference in the others, thereby having a greater impact on poverty. Click the buttons on screen to know more on each of these areas. Page 10: Access to Information Projects – 2007 UNDP’s support for access to information projects has increased by approximately 400% over four years: from 69 projects in 2003, to 279 in 2007 in 60 countries. This includes both specific access to information projects (for example support to the development of independent and pluralist media) and projects where access to information is an integral component of other democratic governance initiatives (such as legislation support or justice initiatives). Currently, most projects are carried out in the Arab and Europe-CIS regions. Some very interesting trends have emerged: in 2003, media development and e-governance initiatives were the primary focus areas; in 2005, the focus shifted to right to official information; in 2007 we have seen a substantial increase in the number of projects related to communication mechanisms for vulnerable groups. These projects focus on developing and strengthening communication and information sharing mechanisms that support the development of national capacities and empower the poorest groups in society to influence decisions that affect their lives. Click the Zambian flag on screen to view an example of how the UNDP runs a project in Zambia which aims at to enhance good governance by addressing the public participation, transparency and accountability. Page 11: Improving the Right to Information There are three stages where UNDP can provide support for improving the right to information.

• Pre-legislation • Legislation development

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• Legislation implementation Click the buttons on screen to know about the activities in the stages. Page 12: Communication for Empowerment UNDP defines Communication for Empowerment as a participatory approach that puts the information and communication needs and interests of disempowered and marginalised groups at the centre of initiatives to improve media. In this context, it is important to ensure the media has the capacity and capability to generate and provide the information that marginalised groups want and need. UNDP can help by supporting and encouraging initiatives which:

• Increase access to information for marginalised groups, including mechanismsthat fill information gaps

• Highlight and amplify marginalised voices - to ensure the concerns of those at the margins of political or social power structures are highlighted in the media and public debate

• Create spaces for public debate, dialogues and action Decisions about choosing appropriate intervention can begin by conducting information and communication audits. Radio in particular is important in communication for empowerment strategies because of its reach, accessibility to the poor and interactive character. Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about how to carry out an information and communication audit. Page 13: Strengthening the Media An independent and pluralist media - at national and local levels - is crucial for promoting accountability and transparency and an important plank of poverty reduction. UNDP supports:

• The development of an enabling environment for inclusive media, such as community-based media.

• The development of professional standards in the media by encouraging self-regulation (codes of conduct) and journalist training (investigative journalism).

• Journalists in all regions to understand and report on issues affecting the poor. UNDP's National Human Development Reports and MDG Reports are important entry points for this process.

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The media sector in pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict situations plays an extremely important role. Several organisations are looking at how to engage the media as a key partner in conflict prevention, management and reduction. Page 18: Topic Summary You have successfully completed this topic. You should now have a better understanding of:

• UNDP’s conceptual framework on access to information • The centrality of the pro-poor focus on UNDP’s access to information work • Its key function of enhancing the supply of and demand for information • Specific areas of programming support

Topic Name: Practical Guidance: Access to Information Programming Page 1: Topic Objectives Welcome to the topic on ‘Practical Guidance for Access to Information Programming’. The aim of the last topic was to show you how to put the principles set out previouslyinto practice. By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of the following aspects of access to information programming:

• Situation analysis • Strategy • Identifying partnerships • Programme monitoring and evaluation • Where to find resources for further information

Page 2: The Overall Context For all UNDP supported programmes and projects in access to information, programme officers initially need to establish an understanding of the context including the political, socio-economic and technical contexts in their countries drawing on the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and other relevant sources. It is also important to map the key external players active within the sector. An analysis of these broad contextual factors will provide the initial ‘landscape’ in

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which an access to information intervention can take place. Such baselines can often draw on studies already completed by others. Key considerations include:

• What is the constitutional and legal position of the right to information – is there any relevant provision?

• If there is no legislation in place, is any under consideration? • Are the media subject to interference, either directly through overt

censorship, or indirectly through licensing requirements, economic methods ofcontrol or covert systems of influence?

This will give you the basis for beginning to understand the overall situation. Click the Click to View icon on screen to view a table of basic questions necessary for understanding the access to information 'landscape'. Visit pages 12 and 13 of the document. Page 3: Situational Analysis The situational analysis builds on this understanding of the ‘landscape’ and explores in more detail important factors relevant to each of the support areas. Some of the information needed to provide a satisfactory understanding of the situation may not be available in existing national planning documents. It will therefore be important to work closely with others, especially government counterparts, civil society, and other organisations with relevant experience. Such collaboration could include:

• Drawing on research and mappings undertaken by external actors • Convening or taking part in consultative meetings • Using existing surveys, polls and participatory rapid appraisals, etc.

In some cases it will be necessary to contract consultants to pull together the information needed for a robust and accurate situational analysis. An information and communication audit should also be carried out:

• Mapping the information needs of poor people (information audit) • Mapping the voice needs of poor people (communication audit)

Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about carrying out an information and communication audit.

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Page 4: Programme Planning Access to information cuts across all UNDP activities but specific programmes to improve access to information fall into one of three types:

• Upstream • Downstream • Mainstreaming

Click each tier of the pyramid to learn more about each type. Page 5: Reviewing Access to Information Proposals Once an understanding of the context and the situation has been achieved, the next important step is to review potential proposals. There are typically three principal points of origin for access to information proposals:

• Receiving a proposal or a request for support from a government counterpart • Identifying a specific need • Receiving a request from a CSO

In each of the three situations, programme officers should review the objectives of the proposal against:

• Existing UNDP governance programmes and the agenda of the government • The country programme and other national strategic documents • UNDP's commitment to a rights-based programming approach • The four principal support areas and the information and communication

programming circle UNDP can help refine the proposal and work with counterparts to carry out a capacityassessment based on the UNDP approach, which can be found at the Resource Section. This will enable the country office to formulate a project based on a sound methodology, incorporating the most appropriate capacity development strategies in accordance with the context in question. Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about reviewing access to information proposals. Page 6: Identifying Partnerships UNDP can leverage its relatively limited resources to enhance the impact of its work

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in access to information by working in partnership with other development actors. Strengthening and deepening existing partnerships is an organisational priority recognising that partnerships enable information to be shared and provide access to specialist expertise and experience. They may also reduce the chance that the effortsare duplicated. While there is no set formula for partnerships, there are a number of critical components, which can contribute in varying degrees to a successful partnership. These include:

• Clear criteria for identifying relevant civil society partners • Mutual trust and commitment • A well thought out project plan with clear objectives • Clearly identified responsibilities and roles for each partner • Expectations of the partnership that are transparent for each partner • Relationships within the partnership that are continually monitored.

UNDP’s main partners in access to information programming can include:

• Government (national and local) • Civil Society Organisations • Media Organisations • Media Support Organisations • Multilateral and Bilateral Development agencies

Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about guidance for identifying partners. Page 7: Monitoring and Evaluation of Access to Information Programmes Evaluating the programmes you support is vital to understanding the impact the work is having and whether you are making the most effective use of resources. UNDP has moved away from measuring inputs to measuring outcomes through setting annual targets. The current guidance recommends country offices to enter baselines, indicators and estimated expenditure against outcomes for the duration of the country programme. The selection of outcome indicators should begin by developing an inclusive list of potential indicators, although you should recognise that indicators are specific to the situation. It is particularly important to develop indicators that measure the impact of programmes upon women and the poor. As formal equality may conceal considerable differences in actual equality, simply providing formal means to request information as a citizen’s right may not be enough. Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about monitoring and evaluation.

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Page 8: Sample Indicators The following are all useful potential indicators:

• Percentage of requests for official information that are granted each year in relation to requests received.

• Budget allocated to government bodies/units in charge of ensuring that access to information legislation is implemented.

• Evidence of women and poor utilising information requests. • Measurable increase in media coverage of development issues in mainstream

and community media. • Increased participation and representation of the perspectives of vulnerable

groups in media debates. • Evidence that media-generated debate is leading to discussion, action, and

policy changes. • A measurable improvement in the quality of journalistic coverage, specifically

in terms of independence and professionalism (enhanced capacities of media personnel).

• Number of investigative reporting and/or public interest features in the media.

Click the Quick Facts icon on screen to view the sources of information. Page 11: Topic Summary You have successfully completed this topic. You should now have a better understanding of:

• Situation analysis • Strategy • Identifying partnerships • Programme monitoring and evaluation • Where to find resources for further information

Topic Name: Lesson Summary Page 1: Resources You can refer to the links provided on screen to learn more about “Access to Information”. Remember to visit the Resources section for a more comprehensive reading list.

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Page 3: Lesson Summary Congratulations! You have successfully completed this lesson. You should now have abetter understanding of:

• Trends, concepts and issues relating to access to information • How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins

initiatives to eradicate poverty, and is crucial to achieving the Millennium Development Goals

• UNDP’s pro-poor approach supporting to access to information • Specific areas of programming support • Practical tips for programming and where to find further information