The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) has partnered with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji and the UK government to develop a diagnostic tool for improved access to information and open data through a co-design process that will be jointly identified between civil society and government institutions.
This will be supported through the UNDP Project – Strengthening Anticorruption, Transparency and Accountability in Pacific Island Countries (Pacific Anti-Corruption Project) – funded by the UK government.
FCOSS will carry out this effort under the ‘Kacivaka Project’ that was launched on December 8 during the Access and Agency Forum 2021 by the British High Commission’s Head of Pacific Conflict, Stability and Security Programme, Nicola Noble, in Pacific Harbour.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Fiji Council of Social Services through UNDP to deliver a project to support local community leaders, civil society organisations and relevant government ministries to further increase disclosure and communication of information,” Ms Noble was quoted saying in a joint statement issued this afternoon.
“I encourage all participants to utilise this opportunity to actively engage in peer-to-peer exchange to identify solutions on open data principles and the right to information.”
FCOSS executive director Vani Catanasiga said participants attending the Access and Agency Forum 2021 over three days would sensitise and orientate 50-plus District Councils of Social Services (DCOSS) representatives from the four divisions about relevant Fiji legislations such as the Online Safety Act, Information Act, Statistics Act, Electoral Act etc. as well as the International Open Data Charter and New Zealand Data and Information Management Principles.
“Participants will combine their understanding of the above policies and standards with FCOSS generated data from past surveys –to establish the focus and design the tool for improved access to information,” Ms Catanasiga said in the statement.
UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Anti-Corruption Adviser Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska said they aimed to promote the values of right to information and multi-stakeholder partnerships for achieving shared development outcomes, including in relation to achieving anti-corruption results.
The three-day Access and Agency Forum 2021 ended today.
