Sunshine Week 2007:
Closed Doors; Open Democracies?
Reproduced courtesy OpenTheGovernment.org and Sunshine Week
Read an editorial by NFOIC Executive Director Charles N. Davis in the Cincinnati Post .
Frosty Landon awarded with induction into The Open Government Hall of Fame
What?
- Civic organizations, libraries, universities and other groups around the country are invited to participate in our second dialogue on open government and secrecy by hosting or co-sponsoring programs
- The program, which will include panel discussions, audience questions, and ideas for action, will be webcast to sites around the country
- The program will focus on access to government information, including the impact of government suppression and manipulation of scientific information on public health and safety - and accountability. The dialogue will start with a lively discussion of the issues and end with ideas for action
- Sites are encouraged to show the national program and plan local programs tailored to open government issues in their communities! Audience members at all sites will have an opportunity to call in (using any telephone) and email questions to our live panels. We will answer as many questions as time permits.
Where?
- The event will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, and webcast to sites around the country. We're inviting you to host a program in your community!
When?
- The event will be held on Monday, March 12, 2007, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST. Sunshine Week is March 11 - 17, 2007. Visit www.sunshineweek.org to learn more about Sunshine Week.
How?
Resources
For this year's program:
Background Information:
- What is Sunshine Week?
- To see what we did last year, you can purchase a DVD of the program through the Special Libraries Association for $25.00
- Looking for Sunshine: Protecting Your Right to Know (PDF File) [An Open Government Resource Guide]: The League of Women Voters Education Fund created this Resource Guide, which includes an overview of open government issues, a review of federal and state laws, concrete ideas for what Leagues (and you!) can do, a list of national and state groups working on open government issues identifies other national and state organizations involved in these issues, and more!
- Want to start a Freedom of Information (FOI) organization in your state? The National Freedom of Information Coalition hopes to have funding available to those who qualify. Funding may also be available for projects that existing organizations want to undertake. You can get a copy of the application and guidelines at http://www.nfoic.org/grants. The next NFOIC Project Funding Application deadline is March 15 for the spring funding period.
- Bright Ideas for Sunshine Week 2007: Includes a collection of examples from Sunshine Week 2006, a variety of news and opinion from print, broadcast and online outlets, photos from events, creative graphic presentations, and examples of student work.
Background
The first national "Sunshine Week: Your Right to Know" was launched in March 2005 and will be celebrated in 2007 from March 11-17. Sunshine Week's intent is to raise awareness of the importance of open government to everyone in the community, not just journalists.
"Closed Doors; Open Democracies?" is brought to you in celebration of Sunshine Week by:
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