On 8 November, Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) in partnership with the USAID G -3 Program, organized the Policy Discussion ,,Civil Society Organizations’ Perspective on the OGP 2014 – 2015 Action Plan”.
In the framework of the USAID G 3 program consortium members and expert introduced the developments about the OGP London Summit and new Action Plan Priorities. International USAID Expert delivered the presentation on the international tendencies and assessments under the OGP initiatives at the policy discussion participants.
Mr. Maris Mikelsons, USAID G-3 Program Chief of Party opened the policy discussion speaking about the OGP London Summit and the activities presented by the Government of Georgia with its priority issues, highlighted Georgia readiness to implement further activities at the international level.
Giorgi Kldiashvili, IDFI Director spoke about the London Summit and achievements of Georgia in terms of proactive disclosure of public information, and electronic request of information that is highly assessed though he pointed out some discrepancies in the Action plan that need to be dealt.
While speaking about the challenges in implementing the action plan, Dr. Thomas Hart welcomed top level government officials readiness to fulfill the assumed liabilities, though he stressed to establish more effective mechanisms to cohesion among the decision makers and public in general.
Policy discussion participants supported the initiative to draft the Freedom of Information Act as well as establishment of the Supervisory Body to monitor the freedom of Information issues.
Giorgi Kldiahsvili stated that the OGP 2014-2015 Action Plan is to be presented by March 2014, and encouraged more activities to be held with the Ministry of Justice Anti corruption council.
Policy discussions are held In the framework of the IDFI, USAID, G-3 program Project: “Improving Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Process and Increasing Public Awareness of FOIA”.