Celebrating the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2021, the Globe International Center (GIC) hosted an online discussion on September 28. Representatives from the city of Ulaanbaatar and nine provinces, namely Bayan-Ulgii, Bulgan, Darkhan, Dundgovi, Khuvsgul, Orkhon, Tuv, Khovd and Zavkhan participated in the online discussion. The online webinar saw members and/or staff of the EU Delegation to Mongolia, governmental (Independent Authority against Corruption of Mongolia (IAAC), National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia (NHRCM), non-governmental (Administrative New Initiative, Open Society Forum), the media (MNB, Zavkhan Radio, Khuvsgul Television) and individuals, a total of 52 people participated. The online discussion and other activities such as online campaigning on the occasion of the International Day was supported by IFEX.
The online discussion consisted of two main parts. In the first part, representatives of two governmental and two non-governmental organizations spoke on the main topic of the day, the right to know. Member of the NHRCM, Dr. D.Sunjid highlighted two points in her presentation, “Administrative Decision-Making and Information Transparency”. First, an analysis of court decisions issued between 2016 and 2018 shows that there is a perception that hearings are taking place and that they are becoming accustomed to them, but that they are not in line or in accordance with the law. The second one was about how Mongolia has ensured access to information as a form of citizen participation, which is “realized through the implementation of the duty to ensure the transparency of its activities, to disseminate relevant information to the citizens, and to inform the decision-making bodies and officials”.
IDUAI was first declared by UNESCO back in 2015. UN General Assembly then highlighted the enormous importance of the access to information, thereby deciding to celebrate this day every year on September 28 worldwide.
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For the full report of the event, visit the post on GIC website.
