Transparency and free flow of information vital to Millenium
Development Goals, say conference participants
8 September 2010
Campaigns and Advocacy
Transparency and free flow of information vital to Millenium
Development Goals, say conference participants
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - 6 September 2010 - Ahead of the UN Summit on the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ARTICLE 19 launches the London
Declaration for Transparency, the Free Flow of Information and
Development, marking a new consensus on the role of transparency and
the free flow of information in achieving the MDGs.
The London Declaration was developed following a recent international
conference organised by ARTICLE 19 in London, which brought together
over 70 human rights and development representatives from
inter-governmental organisations and civil society from 13 countries.
The London Declaration outlines concrete steps that governments and
other actors should implement in order to ensure that the MDGs are
achievable in the next five years.
It has been repeatedly acknowledged that progress on the MDGs is off
track, not because the Goals are unreachable or because time is short,
but rather because of unmet commitments, inadequate resources, and
lack of focus and accountability. Development efforts are hampered by
corruption, mismanagement, improper allocation of resources and their
inefficient and ineffective use.
"We are at a critical juncture. Censorship and secrecy seeds
corruption, breeds bad governance and feeds the cycle of poverty,"
says Agnes Callamard, ARTICLE 19 Executive Director.
In under two weeks' time the international community will gather in
New York to review and renew its commitment to alleviate poverty and
its promise to meet the targets set by the MDGs. UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon is calling for the adoption of a global action agenda to
accelerate progress towards the Goals. However, in its current draft,
the proposed outcome document barely recognises the importance of the
free flow of information and transparency in assuring the Goals'
achievement.
The London Declaration states that efforts towards achieving the MDGs
by 2015 must be considerably and urgently stepped up and should
encompass the following interconnected principles:
- First, the free flow of information, transparency and civic
engagement are fundamental to the achievement of the MDGs, and the
global fight against poverty;
- Second, the free flow of information includes protecting and
strengthening the right of all to seek, receive and impart information
and ideas related to the MDGs and development, and the existence of a
free, diverse and professional media;
- Third, transparency requires collecting, producing, and disclosing
accessible, credible and disaggregated data on MDG indicators and
targets, as well as on budgets, aid assistance and revenues from
natural and other resources;
- Fourth, civic engagement requires establishing and protecting an
enabling environment for civil society organisations (CSOs) and the
media, and active participation by all, in particular people living in
poverty and those discriminated against, or marginalised.
Participants in the conference insisted that, without a new focus on
these concerns, corruption will proliferate, accountability will
remain a sidelined issue, and the MDGs will not be achieved in the
next five years. They appeal to governments, NGOs, intergovernmental
organisations and other development partners to implement the London
Declaration recommendations.
A new website, with ongoing analysis of transparency, free flow of
information and MDG issues, alongside a summary of conference
contributions, has been launched at http://www.right2info-MDGs.org
Click here for the London Declaration
http://www.ifex.org/international/2010/09/08/london_declaration/
--
Urvashi Sharma
RTI Helpmail( Web Based )
aishwaryaj2010@gmail.com
Mobile Rti Helpline
8081898081 ( 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. )
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