About the E-Governance and Access to Information Service
E-governance and Access to Information is one of the 30 service lines
or priority areas in
UNDP’s Multi-Year Funding Framework (MYFF) for 2004 – 2007.The
mainstreaming of UNDP’s ICT for Development group has brought forward a
realignment of ongoing and planned activities in this area and resulted,
within the context of Democratic Governance, in the creation of two
dedicated sub-practices in this service line (i) E-governance and (ii)
Access to Information. The service line is a relatively new area of
specialized work for
UNDP’s
Democratic Governance Group.
UNDP’s support to Access to Information is designed to:
- Strengthen the legal and regulatory environment for freedom
and pluralism in information.
Effective legislation is a key element
in any strategy to promote freedom of expression. UNDP supports
activities that facilitate the provision of expert advice on the right
to official information, freedom of expression, and media law (including
new and traditional media). Legal and regulatory frameworks that protect
and enhance community media are especially critical for ensuring
vulnerable groups’ freedom of expression and access to information.
- Elevate the professional standards of the media to promote the
exchange of independent and pluralist information.
An independent
and pluralist media is a crucial ‘institution’ of governance and an
important plank in poverty reduction. UNDP supports activities that
encourage self regulation (codes of conduct) and promote journalist
training
- Raise awareness on rights to official information and strengthen
mechanisms to provide and access information.
This can be achieved
through supporting and facilitating initiatives that sensitize
government officials on the importance of making official information
available and working with civil society organizations to promote civic
education on rights and entitlements under official information
legislation.
- Strengthen communication mechanisms for vulnerable groups.
UNDP has an important role to play in strengthening communication
mechanisms, which allow vulnerable groups to participate effectively in
policy-making processes. For example by supporting Community Based
Organizations and the media to promote civic education on governance and
development issues, civil society organizations that focus on improving
the active participation of vulnerable groups in policy-making processes
such as the PRSPs, and NHDRs; and direct support to community dialogue
initiatives that promote social change/development.
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