Media release
Figure 1: The RTI Competition Launch
Funafuti, Tuvalu — In October, Tuvalu marked an important milestone with the launch of its Right to Information (RTI) initiative.
This initiative is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and the University of the South Pacific (USP).
The RTI project aims to empower women, journalists and youth of Tuvalu to create awareness on RTI and promote its attributes such as transparency and accountability.
While officiating the launch on 18th October at the Funafuti lagoon hotel, the chief guest, Minister for Justice, Communication & Foreign Affairs, Honourable Simon Kofe, emphaised the importance of the RTI initiative this reflected that this project is about creating a bridge between the people and their government, allowing transparency to flourish and trust to grow.
A weeklong visit from USP included workshops for young people, community outreach, consultations with media professionals and stakeholder meeting, each activity focused on raising awareness about RTI’s potential to strengthen democracy
The RTI team introduced an exciting competition encouraging Tuvaluans to create artworks or videos that also conveys a message RTI and its importance.
“Our goal is to foster a culture of transparency and accountability that extends to every part of Tuvalu and the Pacific”, said project lead Mr. Vineet Singh.
The RTI initiative remains highly relevant and has set a foundation for ongoing efforts to open government processes to public view and empower citizens to engage with institutions.
As the Minister for Justice, Communication & Foreign Affairs, Honourable Simon Kofe, mentioned “Each of us has a role to play in building a transparent, accountable, and united society.”
The initiative continues to echo his words, offering a transformative tool for Tuvalu’s citizens to shape their nation’s future.
