
Democracy and the right to access information
Transparency and data transparency
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Transparency is a concept related to fidelity and public access to information. In the water sector, this means ensuring that the citizens are informed about water quality, availability, and accessibility, and that they can understand how decisions are made and how money is spent. Transparency is beneficial because it allows society to become acquainted with the state of its water resources and take action if they are being misused.
Our right and duty to access information
The right of access to information guarantees every person the right to access all information and documents related to the management of public affairs, regardless of the condition of the interested person and the purpose of obtaining the required information. There are different international agreements that promote this principle, one of them being Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that "everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of borders." Countries have adopted this principle in their own national laws. Access to information laws also serve several important social objectives. For example, access to information about the quality of water bodies can prompt authorities and citizens to take action if the water is contaminated.
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Our duty as citizens should be to know and protect information in order to be informed and address the problems facing the water sector in our own communities. In this way, citizens can participate in setting priorities and decision-making, hold relevant authorities accountable, demand a more transparent government, and ensure equal treatment and justice.
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REFERENCES
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[1] Laura, N. (2005). A Key to Democracy: Access to Information Critical for Citizens, Governments. The Carter Center. Disponible en: https://www.cartercenter.org/news/documents/doc1860.html
[2] Lister, S. 2010. Fostering Social Accountability: From Principle to Practice. Oslo: UNDP. Disponible en: www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/DemocraticGovernance/OGC/dg-ogc-Fostering Social Accountability-Guidance Note.pdf
[3]
https://www.oecd.org/mena/governance/right-to-access-information-2018.pdf
[4]
https://www.article19.org/resources/international-standards-right-information/
[5]