PHNOM PENH (02 February 2016) – The third training of the Access to Information Technical Working Group kicked off on 1 February 2016 with a welcome from UNESCO Country Representative Ms. Anne Lemaistre and opening remarks by the Minister of Information, H.E. Khieu Kanharith. Around 50 participants from the Government and civil society took part, 30% of them women. The training was on engaging the public in the drafting of the A2I Law. OHCHR Country Representative, Ms. Wan-Hea Lee, presented on guaranteeing access to information in accordance with human rights norms. She reviewed why participatory processes are not only obligations under international and national law, but also instrumental in developing sound laws with maximum public support.
Group discussions held on the feedback thus far received from the grassroots resulted in several recommendations, which will be examined by the Technical Working Group established to draft the law. The training, which ended today, was an opportunity for participants to learn how to meaningfully engage with civil society and the public. The training reinforced the value of the recently launched A2I website www.a2i.info.gov.kh, through which members of the public can provide their direct inputs to the draft law. That and more ideas emerging today will hopefully make the law-drafting process as inclusive and participatory as possible. See the agenda for the training in English.