Working Group One

Politics and Economy: shifting the balance toward openness

The group considered the “politics of policy” of access to information, including how to incentivize the various political and social actors that support transparency and accountability. It weighed the experiences

offered by various states in the region in their efforts to promote transparency. Finally, participants discussed the role of external actors and

donors, such as the World Bank and regional organizations.

Issue Statement

The experience in the region thus far has shown that a law alone is not sufficient to guarantee the right of access to information.

Therefore we must think about a more integrated and clear public policy approach to securing transparency.

Considerations

Is Access to Information a human right or an instrument for other ends? ATI must not be considered a dichotomy Are there intrinsic differences between the right of access to information and

other political rights? If there are differences, what are they?

The policies behind Access to Information How has the promotion of the transparency agenda come about? How has the agenda of access to information emerged?

Considerations Economy of Access to Information

Systems of privileges and the extraction of rents

Opportunities Policies and laws are reactions to political crises, i.e. corruption in Mexico, Peru, Argentina How can we take advantage of these opportunities?

Transparency and Access to Information Transparency is distinct from Access to Information

It is not just about a law, we must consider: Policies to implement the law Political culture Leadership to push this culture Social demand for information Archiving and the production of information

Regional Findings

There are opportunities to be created and to be anticipated with regard to advance and deepen access to information. Crises of public trust represent such an opportunity to move forward.

There is a need to identify what parties are interested in the politics of the policy of transparency, as well as where there is resistance

It is necessary to strengthen states in terms of improving the capacities of public officials and improved administrative practices.

In the region, other strategies to achieve transparency can be explored when political efforts fail.

There is a need to improve the capacity to link access to information to the quality of life, citizen participation, and the exercise of other rights.

Recommendations & Action Points

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:  Involve international organizations that demand conditionality to affect the

best practices in the topic of right of access to information.

STATES: Congress must not avoid its duty to monitor implementation of ATI laws. Guarantee resources to implement the right to information, especially at the

local and municipal levels.   An independent implementation authority must be appointed, with the

participation of civil society. Offer awards to municipalities for their transparency regimes based on

indicators for best performance Share experiences between municipalities about political successes

Recommendations & Action Points NON-STATE ACTORS (Civil Society, Corporate and Professional Organizations): Generate sophisticated and evidence-based research Evaluation of implementation should be done with information produced by

CSOs and universities. Capacitate journalists in the knowledge and function of public administration Pursue litigation in the public interest to advance ATI jurisprudence Improve the knowledge of the value of access to information among political

leaders, political parties, and unions to produce greater support Make better use of constitutions and international treaties to put more

pressure on governments to comply with their promises Universities: work systematically on how transparency can be addressed by

different professional programs NGOS: implement robust internal mechanisms to build a culture of

transparency