This year’s Programme for Government outlined a commitment to updating the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 with intentions of adding clarity and strength to the legislation. At the end of Kevin Dunion’s term as the first Scottish Information Commissioner and the impending appointment of his successor, and this upcoming Freedom of Information legislation, it is more important than ever to review how far Scotland has come in these nine years and how we take FOI policy forward. As other countries within the UK and abroad move towards open data and broader FOI coverage, how will Scotland ensure that its regime meets international gold standards in the future.
As public sector cuts continue to rise, adding further complication to the FOI landscape, there is debate as to how the current system will manage, with reduced resources, to respond to the additional FOI requests as the public seeks greater governmental transparency. |
Furthermore the decision earlier in the year not to extend FOI coverage to other bodies has sparked debate that Scotland is not moving quickly enough towards creating a culture of openness. With the consultation on the new FOI Act set to begin, now is an extremely relevant time to review how far FOI has progressed in Scotland and what the future of FOI should look like.
Drawing from the FOI experiences within Scotland and abroad, this conference looks to highlight the key FOI issues that need to be taken forward. Examining areas such as the effects of an open data system, balancing Freedom of Information with Data Protection, and looking towards international examples of FOI in other countries, this conference is a must attend event for any FOI professional.
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Keynote speakers
Minister for Parliamentary Business, The Scottish
Government
Scottish Information Commissioner
Former Deputy First Minister of Scotland