The University of the South Pacific Students Association (USPSA) hosted a Talanoa session on Understanding the Role of Open Data Access as a Strategy to Counter Corruption last week.
The event was hosted at the USP Laucala Campus’ Japan ICT Centre in Suva, Fiji and supported by the International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES).
Over 80 participants were part of the discussions with the three panellists: Amit Sami, from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Losana Tuiraviravi from Transparency International and Manasa Navara, Youth Activist and current i-Taukei Student Association President from the Laucala Campus. The discussions were moderated by Yash Kumar from the USPSA.
During the talanoa session, the panellists engaged in conversation on the interlinkages between Open Data Access and technology, the expected challenges in the pursuit of open data access ranging from security concerns and misinformation, as well as the integral role of the youths of the Blue Pacific in advocating for open data access.
Sami highlighted that “Open Data Access promotes Transparency and Accountability, which are the two fundamental values that promote anti-corruption, without which there would not be any form of sustainable development”.
Similarly, Navara shared sentiments and stressed the significance of having data available to everyone to help people make better decisions.
Transparency International’s representative, Tuiraviravi, stressed the importance of partnership and collaboration for success in addressing challenges concerning Open Data Access.
USPSA Project Officer Yash Kumar lauded the panellists and the participants who identified and explored various synergies between Open Data Access and its operations in countering corruption.
Meanwhile, the USP Lautoka Campus will host the Western Division talanoa session on Friday, August 30.
