On November 30, 2020, Levan Avalishvili, Programs Director of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), delivered a lecture on Freedom of Information to the participants of the Bachelor’s course of the Certification Program in Fighting Corruption.

Levan Avalishvili shared with the participants the great experience accumulated by IDFI with working and strengthening the standards of freedom of information, requesting public information, and thus advancing the accountability of public agencies. Levan discussed the legal basis of freedom of information, which is enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia and in the General Administrative Code of Georgia; explained the concept of public information and the importance of a public institution; discussed the scope of action provided by disclosure of public information legislation.

It was especially interesting for the participants to get information about the practical basis of requesting public information. More particularly, Levan Avalishvili reviewed lawsuits of IDFI concerning public information requests; summarized IDFI's experience with problematic public information request issues, including administrative costs, bonuses for public officials, and encouraged course participants to be actively involved in the process of requesting public information request as well as an examination of the requested information. The lecture was interactive and continued with Q/A and discussion.

The Certification Program in Fighting Corruption is implemented by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) in collaboration with the Ilia State University. The Bachelors and Masters courses created under the program are part of the academic curriculum of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the Ilia State University. Students of the relevant field of the named faculty, as well as the candidates selected as a result of the competition, have the opportunity to participate in the mentioned academic courses. Students of the Ilia State University will have the opportunity to receive ECTS and certificates in case of high academic achievement, while students of other universities selected through the competition, representatives of the state, non-governmental and private sector, will receive certificates upon successful completion of the program.

The Certification Program in Fighting Corruptionis financially supported by the Open Society Foundations (OSI) and co-financed by the  Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF).