India: CUTS International announced an RTI Toolkit. The toolkit is entitled “Model Framework for Replication: Usages of RTI in Rural Rajasthan, India: Enhancing Transparency and Reforming the Processes.” It explores the need of reforming the service delivery and decision-making processes in three selected national flagship schemes implemented by the Rural Development Department, Government of Rajasthan. “The main aim of this Toolkit is to enhance the capability of the citizens to use the RTI Act constructively, which would contribute to reducing the systemic forms of corruption visà-vis reforms. The Toolkit is an analytical compilation of experiences gained during the implementation of the project, including a wide range of diverse activities, public and stakeholders’ consultations/peer learning and formation of RTI support groups in rural areas and CSOs’ networking for promoting strategic use of RTI.”
United States: A new blog on developments in the U.S. is created to accompany a new book, “The Art of Access: Strategies for Accessing Public Records,” by David Cuillier and Charles Davis.
United States: Many articles about FOI at the website of the U.S. Sunshine Week. The site also includes an online game testing knowledge of U.S. open government laws.
Africa: A report by Prof. Steven Livingston, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies entitled “Africa’s Evolving Infosystems: A Pathway to Stability and Development,” summarizes field research from six countries and concludes that innovative uses of mobile communications, often paired with radio broadcasting, have created entirely new types of institutions that promote transparency, accountability, and security.
Open Data: A blog post of the Open Knowledge Foundation discusses an assessment of the feasibility and potential of an open government data program in two countries – Chile and Ghana.
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