Within the framework of the Project "Freedom of Information - Capacity Building", implemented in cooperation with Transparency Serbia, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection today sent CDs with education material intended for building the capacities of the public authorities and officials for proper implementation of the Law on Free Access to Information to the addresses of many national and provincial authorities. Among other things, this material contains analyses and evaluations of Directories of Operations posted on the Internet by more than 80 Serbian public authorities, with relevant recommendations for their improvement. The material is also posted on the Commissioner's website - www.poverenik.org.rs, in the "Documents" section under the title "Freedom of Information - Capacity Building". Download is free for other interested persons as well.
In connection with this, Commissioner Rodoljub Sabic said:
"A major problem in connection with the European laws we adopt is the huge gap between the new legal standards thus proclaimed and the capacities of our public authorities for enforcing those standards in practice. This requires education, upgrading and ongoing enhancement of one's potentials. This voluminous and sound material can be very useful to public authorities and officials who are willing and ready to raise the profile of their public relations and to comply with their legal responsibilities in this regard with greater diligence.
"The material covers all relevant fields, from the establishment of a request processing organization within public authorities, through processing by authorized officers acting on requests made by citizens, journalists etc., preparation and publication of Directories on Operations of Public Authorities on the Internet to other aspects of compliance with the law - role of authorized officers in ensuring transparency of operations, training of other employees, safekeeping of data storage media etc.
"Particular attention is paid to Directories on Operations of Public Authorities; in addition to analyses of a number of Directories, the material also contains relevant instructions for their preparation and improvement.
"Of course, this project also covers local self-governments. The education material is accompanied by a special, complete model of a Directory of Operations adjusted to the needs of local-level authorities. If local self-governments adopted such a uniform model, this would have a number of advantages. I have already talked about it with Mr. Milan Markovic, line minister responsible for local self-government; we agreed on all details and he expressed his willingness to fully contribute to this idea within his powers.
"Increased transparency at all levels is not just a formal obligation, it is also a way of making a contribution in the fight against recklessness, abuse and corruption in the operations of public authorities."
