Speakers at a webinar on Tuesday urged the government to form a research group involving academics, practitioners and activists to enhance research collaboration on access to information issues both at national and international level, reports UNB.
They made the call at the virtual meeting organised by RTI Forum Bangladesh on the occasion of Right to Know Day, which was observed on Monday globally as International Day for Universal Access to Information by the UN.
Speakers said after a decade of enacting the Right to Information Act in Bangladesh, it is imperative that RTI knowledge-base is enhanced to promote accountable governance in the country through effective implementation of the Act.
They recommended strengthening both research and strategic communication capacities of the Information Commission, compilation of learning, best practices and case studies of the past decade and collaboration with universities to undertake joint research works.
As the chief guest of the event, Martuza Ahmed, Chief Information Commissioner of the Information Commission, assured to examine the recommendations made during the presentation.
He stressed ensuring free flow of information during emergency situation like Covid-19 and suggested CSOs and RTI activists to work more to motivate and inspire people for effectively using the RTI application throughout the country.
Former chief of Information Commission Professor Dr Golam Rahman urged for introspection while taking stock of the RTI situation in the country. He also urged the government to include information-providing services as emergency service during times of crises like Covid-19.
Executive Director of Transparency International, Bangladesh Dr Iftekharuzzaman urged all to work together in the promotion of RTI, in spite of all constraints.
COAST Trust Executive Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury emphasised on collaboration to share information for people living in the Rohingya camps.
Dr Rezwan-ul-Alam, Director, Knowledge Management of MJF, presented the findings on Review of RTI Research Works during 2019-2020 while Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) moderated the function.
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