Civil Society and freedom of information – a missed opportunity? September 30, 2008

The University of Strathclyde, the Scottish Information Commissioner and the Campaign for Freedom of Information invite you to an event to mark the launch ofan exciting new research project which aims to explore the ways in which Scottish civil society engages with freedom of information (FOI). The launch of the research follows evidence suggesting that the FOI ‘right to information’ is not being used to its full potential by Scotland’s voluntary groups and campaign organisations, with only 4% of the appeals received by the Scottish Information Commissioner coming from the sector.

The event will introduce the research project, while also providing essential guidance on how the FOI right to information can be actively used by organisations to further their own objectives. The event will also provide participants with the opportunity to discuss their own experience (or lack of experience) of FOI matters, and share best practice in the use of FOI.

The event will feature speakers including Professor David Miller from the University of Strathclyde, who will supervise the research project; Sarah Hutchison, the Scottish Information Commissioner’s Head of Policy & Information; and Rob Edwards, Environment Editor with the Sunday Herald, who will draw on his own experience requesting information to provide practical advice on the effective use of FOI.

The event will also feature workshop sessions for delegates from various parts of civil society. We aim to run sessions for delegates from trades unions, community groups, environmental organisations, public sector users, consumer groups and voluntary organisations.

The event is free to delegates from non-profit civil society organisations. Attendance at the event will be strictly limited, so we would ask that attendance is confirmed as soon as possible, and by no later than 23 September.

We hope you will confirm your attendance, and look forward to seeing you there. If, however, you are unable to attend you may wish to nominate an appropriate colleague. In order to confirm attendance, please email Kayleigh MacAskill (kayleigh.macaskill@strath.ac.uk), providing details of the name, organisation, address, telephone number and email address of the individual attending, along with any special requirements, dietary or otherwise.

Official Website: http://www.strath.ac.uk/maps/grahamhillsbuilding/