International Seminar on Freedom of Information Endeavours in the SAARC Nations: Challenges & Remedies

Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Governance National Law University Delhi & National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information, New Delhi. In order to execute the spirit of the Constitutions of the SAARC nations, right to information laws have been enacted to promote the vision of transparency and accountability of governance of three pillars, the executive, the judiciary and the legislature, But the effective and efficient compliance of these RTI Laws due to lack of empowerment of executing authorities, the Information Commissions, is a matter of grave concerns for each and every member of the SAARC.

Date 

19 March 2016

Venue

National Law University Delhi Sector 14 Dwarka New Delhi, India

Theme 

The Seminar shall provide a platform, to promote access to information and good governance, to various stakeholders and soldiers of transparency and accountability in governance in the SAARC Countries. This Seminar would deliberate on the following sub-themes affecting access to information in the SAARC Nations:

1. Effectiveness of Pro-active disclosure scheme

2. Freedom of Information/Right to Information Laws and Corruption Control

3. Accountability of the Public authority and Public Information officers.

4. Nature and Scope of Exemptions under the Freedom of Information Laws

5. Dilution of access to Information and the Judiciary.

6. Empowerment of the Information Commissions

7. Reforms related to functioning of the Right to Information Schemes.

8. Protection to RTI Applicants/whistleblowers under Law.

9. Political Parties under RTI/Freedom of information scheme

10. Private Institutions performing public functions and Access to information

11. International Public and Private Organisations operating in the SAARC Nations and extent of RTI/Freedom of Information

12. Comparative Analysis of Freedom of Information Laws in the SAARC Nations: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, and Bangladesh

13. Challenges before the Freedom of Information/Right to Information endeavours in the SAARC Nations.

14. Above themes are only illustrative but not exhaustive. Research paper may select any topic related to the main theme

Guidelines for Seminar Paper

Research paper should apply research skills and use of appropriate research methodology.Research paper must highlight specific research problem/Issue and should also reflect on theviable solution of the /problems/issues identified. Abstract shall also provide for the Scheme ofthe Research Paper.

Research paper may be submitted to the Convener of the conference at ctag@nludelhi.ac.in.

Formatting Guidelines 

1. Paper should not be of more than 10,000 words.

2. It must be typed in Times New Roman FontSize 12 on A4 size paper with 1" margin on all sides with 1.5 line spacing using MS Wordapplication.

3. At the end of the paper, there should be a brief profile of the author with his emailID, contact number and address.

Important Date 

1. Abstract Submission: 25 February 2016

2. Approved Abstract notification : 28 February, 2016

3. Submission of Complete Paper and Registration: 12 March 2016

 Articles received after the stipulated deadline will not be entertained for participation in the conference

For further details, kindly contact

Dr. Jeet Singh Mann,

Seminar Convener

National Law University, Delhi, Sector 14 Dwarka

New Delhi 10078, India +91-11-28034992; Fax No. 011-28034254;

Cell No +91-9968867500 (10am-5pm only)

Email ID: ctag@nludelhi.ac.in

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