Training Workshop (LOCATION) (DATE) and

Access Rationale governments sign the Rio Declaration. Rio’s Principle 10 mandates appropriate access to information, encouragement of public participation, and effective access to judicial proceedings WSSD Plan of Implementation calls on governments to implement Principle 10.

A global civil society coalition promoting access to information, participation, and justice in decisions about the environment. The Access Initiative Six organizations jointly lead The Access Initiative

The Access Initiative Objective Promote the accelerated and enhanced implementation of Principle 10 at the national level.

The Access Initiative’s Strategy Facilitate the use of an indicator-based tool to assess government performance Support civil society teams in an increasing number of countries to conduct assessments Utilize the Partnership for Principle 10 to urge governments to act on assessment results

Components of a TAI Assessment Law Evaluation 16 General Law indicators applied once per assessment Case Studies in Access to Information, Public Participation, and Access to Justice A2I – At least 8 case studies, each comprising 27 indicators PP – At least 6 case studies, each comprising 31 indicators A2J – At least 4 case studies, each comprising 33 indicators + Capacity Building Evaluation 12 General Capacity Building indicators applied once per assessment +

TAI Growth & Development Late 2000 – early 2001: Conceptual framework, assessment method and organizational structure developed Late : Assessment method piloted in nine countries September 2002: At WWSD, assessment results published and PP10 launched : Assessment method refined; expansion to over 40 countries 2006: Version 2.0 launched; expansion continues

The Access Initiative, 2002 Chile Hungary India Indonesia Mexico South Africa Thailand Uganda United States

The Access Initiative Today

TAI Assessment Tool TAI provides a tool to rigorously assess law and practice related to: Access to information Public participation Access to justice Capacity building

The Five TAI Assessment Steps 1. Build a National TAI Coalition 2. Plan a TAI Assessment 3. Conduct Research 4. Prepare Analysis and Publish Results 5. Raise Awareness and Advocate for Change

Moving from Assessment to Action Enhanced credibility for civil society critiques Platforms for constructive government- civil society dialogue and collaboration Explicit commitments from all participants to improve law, practice, and capacity

Moving from Assessment to Action The Ugandan coalition used assessment findings to negotiate a commitment from their government to table a comprehensive act establishing citizens’ right to access government information. The act was passed into law in TAI-Mexico produced a citizen’s guide to access water information. The guide’s release led to an opportunity for TAI-Mexico provide further recommendations on improving access to information to the government. Members of the TAI-Chile coalition have become integral players in the design of Chile’s pollution release and transfer index, which will provide citizens with information about the amount and type of emissions from industrial facilities.

Partnership for Principle 10 Translates Rio principles into action by promoting transparent, inclusive, and accountable decision-making at the national level Provides a platform for Principle 10 activities worldwide Comprised of governments, NGOs and international organizations who make explicit commitments to improving access

PP10 Strategy Develop strategies to implement Principle 10 at the national level Facilitate collaboration and learning across countries Serve as a mechanism for monitoring and self-evaluation Mobilize financial resources for Principle 10 implementation and TAI assessments Promote recognition & implementation of Principle 10 in international agreements, processes & initiatives

History of PP : Launched at WSSD 04/2003: First Meeting of Partners, Lisbon 05/2004: Second Meeting of Partners, Washington DC 10/2005: Third Meeting of Partners in London

PP10 Partners and Observers Governments: Bolivia, Chile, European Commission, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States International Organizations: IUCN, UNDP, UNEP, The World Bank National NGOs: More than 20 organizations representing Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Hungary, Indonesia, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States

For More Information Visit: Contact: TAI / PP10 Secretariat c/o World Resources Institute 10 G Street, NE, Suite 800 Washington, DC