By Gabriela Ruiz
Visiting researcher at The National Security Archive and FOIA Officer at the Chiapas Access to Information Institute
The México Infórmate FOI advocates network celebrated its second annual meeting in Cancún March 17-18, trading success stories and planning strategy.
The Mexico Infórmate network integrates members of the media, civil society, and local government ministries. Its goal is to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.
The two-day meeting consisted of seminars, discussions and workshops. Speakers included Dr. Mauricio Merino, Director of the Division of Public Administration of CIDE; Oscar Guerra Ford Chairman of InfoDF; and Miguel Pulido, Executive Director of Fundar.
During the meeting participants shared success stories about the use of public information laws and discussed strategies to fight setbacks at the local and national levels.
Samuel Bonilla, México Infórmate Coordinator in San Luis Potosí, narrated a case of a librarian from his state who requested information about programs to rehabilitate the streets in her neighborhood.
Following her request, the answer from the municipality was “work will start on those streets in the following days.”
This case reminded participants that at the local level a simple access to information request can positively affect the quality of life of Mexicans.
National coordinators of México Infórmate Lilia Saúl and Emilene Martínez presented the networks’ 2010 Yearbook, which showcases the activities they celebrated during Right to Know Week. (See related report in FreedomInfo.org.)
Cancún Decalogue
At the end of the meeting, Merino presented the conclusions of the two days of work – the Cancún Decalogue.
The document enumerates the main activities that the network will promote in 2011-12, among them:
– Strategic litigation to fight government denials of information;
– Disseminating success stories; training citizens and journalists; and
– Denouncing legislative omissions.
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