TI Bangladesh and Information Commission Ink MoU for Effective Implementation of RTI Act

TI Bangladesh and the Information Commission (IC) renewed the ongoing partnership to enhance awareness and boost stakeholders’ capacity to ensure effective implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2009. The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 11 December 2019 for a period of three years at the Information Commission office, Agargaon, Dhaka. Mr. Martuza Ahmed, Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director, TI Bangladesh signed the MOU on behalf of their respective organizations. 

It is noteworthy to mention that under the previous MoU, both the organizations accomplished remarkable success in engaging young people across the country to create mass awareness on the Right to Information. The areas of mutual cooperation under the MoU include youth engagement programmes for promotion of the effective use of the RTI Act, orientation of RTI Act for marginalized communities, media communication and campaign through mass media, capacity building training for information officers and observance of the International Right to Know Day.

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Martuza Ahmed said, “The government is working tirelessly to curb corruption where TI Bangladesh has been an important stakeholder. TIB has also made significant contribution in the formulation and the introduction of the Right to information Act 2009. The joint activities of the IC and TIB will play a vital role in ensuring free flow of information, and people’s right to information. To ensure effective implementation of RTI act, IC shall be working with TIB persistently. Even if the implementation demands more, IC won’t be hesitating to go beyond the boundaries of MoU.” Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already identified the enactment of the Right to Information Act as a milestone. We have always been in touch with IC since the beginning. Now along with IC, we embark to ensure effective implementation and application of the Act through developing a time-bound action plan and joint programmes.”

Under the MoU, TIB and Information Commission will jointly organize capacity building training programmes for the designated officers of both the public and private institutions. Trainings for the students of different educational institutions to promote peoples’ capacity to submit application for information will be jointly organized. Besides, TIB and Information Commission will organize RTI related events engaging Rover Scouts, Girls Guide, National Cadet Corps and Youth Engagement and Support (YES) Groups of TIB including other youth platforms. RTI related animated videos and TVCs will also be produced. The two organizations will jointly celebrate the International Right to Know (RTK) Day by organizing awareness rally, seminar, discussion and information fair.

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