Open Governance and Anti-Corruption

Public Statement Spread by the CSOs Across the Globe to the OGP

On 17 December, 2013 a Public Statement signed by more than 100 organizations across the world, including Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) from Georgia, was sent to the Co-Chairs of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the OGP Steering Committee and OGP member States.

Members of Leadership House visited IDFI

On December 19 director of Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Giorgi Kldiashvili conducted a lecture about Stalinism and mass repressions for high school students. This event was attended by the members of Leadership House. The aim of this meeting was making the young generation familiar with the epoch and assessing the events that took place back then. Giorgi Kldiashvili talked about the totalitarian regime, absence of freedom, brutality of the regime, fear among th

SMS as Public Information (Case of Canada)

While technology is a powerful tool for innovation, its use must not infringe on the right of requesters to know what government is doing and to hold it accountable for its decisions. Suzanne Legault, Information Commissioner of Canada Where did it all begin In August 2012, the Information Commissioner launched a systemic investigation into the use and preservation of non-email, text-based messages[1] on government-issued wireless devices. T

IDFI Participated in an Event Dedicated to an International Anti-Corruption Day

On the International Anti-Corruption Day, December 11, Ministry of Justice conducted a simulated session of Anti-Corruption Coordination Council. Event was a joint endeavor of Analytical Department of Ministry of Justice, Training Center of Justice of Georgia, Transparency International Georgia and Institute for Development of Freedom of information. Total of 18 students from various universities participated in this session. Participants were selected through an open competition.

Barack Obama Notes the Importance of OGP in his Statement

November 17th, 2013, marked the inauguration of the new President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, who was elected as a result of peaceful, democratic elections on October 27th, 2013. The day was also marked by a large number of statements released from various foreign leaders, who congratulated Giorgi Margvelashvili. Among these was Barack Obama, the president of the United States, who in his statement talked about the significant progress Georgia has undergone in the recent years.

FOIA Reform Featured in New U.S. OGP Action Plan

6 December, 2013 By Toby McIntosh The Obama administration Dec. 6 proposed five steps to modernize the freedom of information act. The ideas appear inthe second U.S. national action planprepared as a member of the Open Government Partnership. In an unexpected development, the plan includes a series of commitments related to foreign surveillance efforts. Regarding freedom of information, the plan contains a number of points: A consolidated FOI portal:The Administration will

FOIA Reform Featured in New U.S. OGP Action Plan

The Obama administration Dec. 6 proposed five steps to “modernize” the freedom of information act.

The ideas appear in the second U.S. national action plan prepared as a member of the Open Government Partnership. In an unexpected development, the plan includes a series of commitments related to foreign surveillance efforts.

Self-Assessment Reports and IRM

A number of countries have released their self-assessment reports on their participation in the Open Government Partnership and the completion of their respective action plans so far. Thirty-two countries have already published their reports, most of them in English and some available in their respective languages, specifically Colombia, Dominican Republic, Greece, Guatemala, Indonesia, Israel and Paraguay. The self-assessment reports are annual, to be published at the end of each 12

Self-Assessment Reports and IRM

A number of countries have released their self-assessment reports on their participation in the Open Government Partnership and the completion of their respective action plans so far. Thirty-two countries have already published their reports, most of them in English and some available in their respective languages, specifically Colombia, Dominican Republic, Greece, Guatemala, Indonesia, Israel and Paraguay.

Whistleblowers in Civil Service: International Practice and Georgia

Whistleblowers in Civil Service: International Practice and Georgia (In Georgian) The goal of the study is to evaluate the regulation and court practice regarding the whistleblowers in civil service. The first part of the article discusses the legal regulation of whistleblowers on the basis of the comparison between the legal norms of Georgia and different countries. The second part of the article consists of the analysis of the practice of the European Court of Human Rights regarding