17 August 2008

PAIA Outreach work continues

SAHA's Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) recently provided a short workshop on the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA) to over 40 Community-based organisations in the Environmental Sector. The workshop was offered as part of Earthlife Africa’s outreach programme which engaged Environmental Sector organisations on a number of relevant legal matters as well as organisational development and networking.

The workshop succeeded in engaging and informing participants on the basics of PAIA as well as equipping organisations with the basic tools required in order to submit a PAIA Request. FOIP offered its follow up services; providing advice and assistance to individuals and organisations in the process of submitting PAIA Requests.

FOIP offers small workshops to NGOs and CBOs seeking to be introduced to their rights in terms of accessing information and how to access these rights in terms of PAIA. This programme is offered as part of the FOIP Capacity Building Project and offers to provide a basic introduction to PAIA to as many CBOs and NGOs as possible. This workshop is an addition to FOIP’s longer-term engagement using thorough Training Workshops which offer more sustainable learning for organisations.

For further details or to request FOIP’s assistance in providing a brief introduction to PAIA for your organisation please contact: Charlotte Young, Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP), South African History Archive (SAHA): Email: foip@saha.org.za, Tel: 011 717 1941.