Post on 30-Jun-2015
description
You got e-mail:Online freedom of information requests
in developing countries.
Gabriela Rodríguez - gaba@datauy.org - @gabaFabrizio Scrollini - fabrizio@datauy.org - @fscrollini
Information is the currency of democracy.Thomas Jefferson
Online access to information
Freedom of information in Uruguay
What's unique about Quesabes.uy
● Each request is made by the person and not by us.● If the request is denied the person can appeal to UAIP.● We do advocacy for the right to ask for information.● Changed govt policy to allow for FOI requests via email● A public repository of FOI requests to the uruguayan government;
both requests and responses are public.
In 5 months:● 380 users● 185 requests● 90 public bodies (about half of them)
In comparison:New Zealand's FOI portal had 416 requests in two years.
Stats
Lessons learned for similar implementations
● Requests by email? Push, push, push for the authorities to answer.● Be prepared to talk with authorities. Identify key actors in government.● Engage with organizations or people already doing FOI requests.● Time and effort.● Outreach to the average citizen.● Go out to the traditional and new media.
Thanks!
http://quesabes.uy
This presentation available at: http://bit.ly/quesabes