Last week I had the privilege of speaking at two different conferences in Vancouver held in celebration of Right to Know Week. I want to share some of my thoughts about the first one here. I will post another article to cover my thoughts about the second conference.
The first event I spoke at was the BC Information Summit held by the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA). FIPA is a non-partisan, non-profit society founded in 1991 to promote and defend freedom of information and privacy rights in Canada. The event focused on open data and Government 2.0 as well as current privacy issues arising out of current provincial IT efforts. I believe some of the conference was captured on video. If I find out where it's posted I will let folks know here.
Many interesting topics were discussed but the two that resonated most with me with respect to open data were, 1) that open data stands on the shoulders of many people who have worked hard for us to have the right to access government records; and 2) open data is no substitute for FOI. In other words, while open data represents a significant opportunity and can and will save money by governments being proactive in making public data available readily available, the right to access records held by our governments is a fundamental right and we should promote and exercise that right.
It's with some embarrassment that I admit I have never filed an Freedom of Information (FOI) request to access public information. This is a fundamental thing to be able to do in a free and democratic society and I live in a free society and I haven't used that right, not because I haven't wanted to, but partly because of what I perceive as the work involved and partly because I have somehow thought that it's wasteful for me to do. Like my questions are not important enough or generally applicable enough to exercise this right. That's just not true.
With respect to the BC provincial government we have the option to ask for data to be released as open data via the Data BC site, but additionally, if we just want access to some data we have the right to make an FOI request for datasets. Of course data obtained this way will not fall under the BC Open Government License, but for some public data that may be sufficient for now. The folks releasing data have limited resources and are prioritizing releases of data the best they can with the resources available. FOI is one more way we can help figure out what's important.
I see the Freedom of Information community and the Open Data community as having little overlap so far in terms of people and membership, yet much in common in terms of interest and opportunities. I will be looking for ways for the two communities to complement each other and help our public servants with their open data efforts.
I will also be filing an FOI request sometime in the near future to learn more about how it works.
16 comments:
Having gone through your website I am sure that you are good enough. I have checked that authenticity of your information is high. I want to get an A in my international economics and I believe you are the right economics assignment help expert to guide me in that.
I used Quicken earlier and after I came across the concept of Quickbooks, I converting quicken to quickbooks and started my finance management with Quickbooks.
f you are using the quicken and quickbooks so quicken is a small accounting tool perform the small task for the self owned business but quickbooks performed the core accounting, payroll activity it is big accounting tool while comparing the quickbooks vs quicken
QuickBooks has been designed to make the -flow of accounting painless and hassle-free. However, this software is also prone to technical issues quickbooks update error 15227
virtual bookkeeping is the best way to maintain all finance work manage in the company.
quickbooks database server manager (QBDBMS) is an astonishing utility part by Intuit. These mechanical assembly abilities to assemble the QuickBooks laborer envelope for multi-customer mode. It helps in profiting by multi-customer mode.
It's great since I always discover something new when I visit your blog. I'm grateful that you shared this with us because I frequently point best assignment service to your website for assistance with finishing their assignments.
I was invited to attend two different conferences organized on the occasion of Right to Know Week, but I would call it bad luck that I could not go due to excessive work. Now I am free and eagerly waiting to be invited to the conference. Cheap Essay Writing Services
I just have to keep telling Fleur mystere myself that I've trained hard and I can do it. I always feel better once I start running. Good luck to you!
I thought the BC Information Summit was very informative. I especially enjoyed the keynote speeches and the breakout sessions. I would recommend this event to anyone interested in learning more about for ArticleTalks the latest trends and developments in the information industry.
The information of Summit was very informative in my opinion. The keynote speeches and breakout sessions were especially enjoyable for me. I would recommend this event to anyone,Law Essay Writing Service who wants to learn more about the latest trends and developments in the information industry.
Your article is full with meaningful content. I really like this. Keep it up. You are telling about to a conference. I want to asked you please share with us conference link. I want to listen that. Now it's time to avail Siding Services In Alachua County FL for more information.
The Surah Mursalat PDF is primarily concerned with the approaching Day of Judgment and cautions people about the repercussions of their actions on that day. It serves as a reminder that Allah is All-Mighty and is fully aware of everything we do.
This is a good article about the Freedom of Information and Privacy Association. Well said in this article. I will share this one with my friends. Now it's time to avail airport transfers manchester for more information.
The Urdu to English dictionary and translation can assist you in expanding both your English and Urdu vocabulary on a day-to-day basis. Discover all of the simple and complex words, along with their precise meanings, translations, and examples of their use. You can also obtain synonyms and related words by using a multilingual as well as an Urdu to English dictionary. You are able to view the latest top trending words along with their meanings and translations. Some of the words that you can view include Scab, Sixth, Doze, Sixth, and Reek.
Grate one. I am looking foreword fore more articles like this one. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association very important topic to discuses in this era. Now its time to avail party bus dc for more information.
Post a Comment