Peace Programs

After a decade of advocacy and advancement, there is a need to reflect on the successes and obstacles in the access to information (ATI) field thus far and consider the emerging issues.  Though there have been great advances, much in the world has changed and there remain a number of challenges including countries without laws, patchy implementation, and some continued resistance.  Numerous countries with once vibrant and robust access to information legislation are now in retreat, while the passage of new laws has slowed and implementation efforts are often insufficient.  Moreover, it remains unclear that the all of the benefits of the right to information are in fact reaching the most disadvantaged people and creating the anticipated societal transformations. 

In convening representatives from all the key stakeholder groups – governments, donors, media, civil society, private sector, and academia – the Carter Center's international conference on the right to public information will critically examine the progress and begin to identify the necessary steps and measures to ensure the effective creation and implementation of universal access to public information. The conference aims to address the fundamentally political aspects of ATI, motivations of private and public actors to contribute to or impede ATI legislation, and constraints emerging from competing priorities for scarce resources, and will conclude with concrete points for future consideration or action.

Beyond its substantive expertise, The Carter Center has the power to convene the critical actors for an open and far reaching discussion.  With former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's facilitation and vision, disparate groups from around the world will develop a shared agenda for the mutual advancement of the right to information and its associated benefits.

Goal and Objectives

The goal of this international conference is the advancement of effective access to public information systems globally.

The main objectives of the conference are to:

1. Reflect on current worldwide status of the right to public information
2. Consider the impact of access to information on areas such as development and governance
3. Explore priority actions for advancing the passage and full implementation of access to public information laws, with attention to the realpolitik considerations influencing all stakeholders

This will be accomplished through keynote speakers, panel presentations, working groups, and plenary discussion. At the conclusion of the conference, participants will detail prioritized recommendations and a plan of action for the furtherance of the right to information around the world.

Preparing for the Conference:

In May 2007, The Carter Center held a two-day preparatory meeting to identify the key issues and gaps that should be addressed in the conference. The first day was spent with experts from a variety of fields related to access to information, such as persons dedicated to the more traditional field of transparency and right to information promotion, development and the pro-poor agenda, and the right to knowledge and information communication and technology.  In advance of the meeting, each participant was asked to identify areas of greatest interest.  Through facilitated discussion of these topics, at the conclusion of the first day six themes emerged:  politics and political economy; private and non-state actors; the information environment (totality of network communications); the poor and marginalized; techniques and strategy; and evidence of impact.

On the second day, participants were joined by representatives from key donor agencies and international financial institutions to further explore these six themes and refine the conference agenda, as well as the necessary scholarship. At the conclusion of the preparatory meeting, the experts each sent a one-page document outlining the emerging trends and ideas for conference working groups.

The Conference:

The Carter Center international conference on the right to public information will be held from Feb. 27- 29, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia.  More than 100 participants from almost 35 countries will discuss access to public information as a fundamental human right and its role in promoting accountability, good governance, and socio-economic rights.  Working group sessions discuss:

1. Politics and Economy: shifting the balance toward openness
2. Structure and Culture: creating an environment for transparency
3. Non-state and Multilateral Actors: examining roles and responsibilities
4. International Norm-building: considering universal standards and a global community
5. Indicators and Measurement: demonstrating and improving impact

Under the guidance of President Carter, the participants will hear report-backs from working group facilitators and reach agreements on a blueprint for future actions in plenary sessions.

Follow up Activities: 

At the event's conclusion, the final agreed upon findings and recommendations will be released and a comprehensive conference report, including the briefing materials and papers, will be prepared. The Carter Center will provide technical support and periodic updates on implementation of the recommendations, as appropriate.