The Cayman Islands Government launched an intensive public information campaign Wednesday in effort to solicit consultative feedback on the draft Freedom of Information Bill, which it hopes to enact into law later this year.
The Freedom of Information Bill seeks to allow the entire public the right to review and request access to most government documents.
Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts said it was important to get the widest possible participation in the consultation process.
‘Every possible medium will be employed to spread the message and solicit feedback, from Internet postings on a special Freedom of Information website (www.foi.gov.ky), to direct mail, pamphlet distribution and posters,’ he said.
Mr. Tibbetts also has a blog accessed through the FOI website on the subject.
It is hoped the intensive awareness campaign will stimulate community and civil service organisations to hose internal seminars, Mr. Tibbetts said.
The campaign will have the tagline ‘Opening Doors to Greater Participation in Government’ and the message ‘Yes, you can!’
‘We want to send that empowering message to all our people,’ Mr. Tibbetts said.
Mr. Tibbetts said when the Freedom of Information Bill is enacted, it will have five important benefits, which have been identified by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.
Those benefits include strengthening democracy, supporting participatory development, preventing corruption, supporting economic development and reducing conflict.
‘So, in a nutshell, we are aiming to strengthen the democratic process,’ Mr. Tibbetts said. ‘We are enabling persons from all walks of life to have access to information by which they can participate in government and hold their representatives accountable.’
Mr. Tibbetts said an external consultant or consultants from the Public Administration International would be coming to the Cayman Islands to assist in information campaign.
‘We will have town hall type meetings in each district to coincide with that expert’s presence here,’ he said. ‘Everyone will be able to hear firsthand how these initiatives work in other territories, while gaining expert answers to question relative to our particular needs.’
Mr. Tibbetts said the external consultant will also help train the people who will train Cayman’s civil servants in the compliance implementations of the various elements of the FOI Bill after it is passed and enacted.
Government Information Services will co-ordinate the information campaign and distribute the various printed and electronic materials.
Posters about the campaign will be distributed to as many public places as possible, including post offices, schools, supermarkets, government offices, and to various organisations, said Chief Information Officer Pat Ebanks.
Mr. Tibbetts said there was no format or questionnaire for the input by the public on the Bill.
‘The only criteria is that it would be best and more effective if the submissions relate to something in the draft legislation, or to something specifically left out of the legislation that someone thinks should be included.’
The draft legislation can be viewed or downloaded at the FOI website. Hard copies of the Bill can be obtained at the GIS offices at Cricket Square, Ms Ebanks said.
Mr. Tibbetts said the FOI Bill was a benchmark in Cayman’s history.
‘It is to increase public involvement in the way we govern ourselves, and in doing so, strengthen the democratic rule of government.’
Mr. Tibbetts commented on the importance of the participation of the public.
‘In no other area of public affairs is it more important that everyone participates than it is in the area of the free flow of information,’ he said.
‘For, as the great wartime US President Franklin D. Roosevelt said: ‘In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.’
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