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 does the government know?

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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