Right to Information (RTI)-Tuvalu

The Right to Information (RTI), also referred to as Freedom of Information or Access to Information, is a fundamental human right that empowers citizens to access public information. This right fosters transparency, accountability and democratic governance. However, in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) like Tuvalu, access to information remains limited due to low awareness, digital illiteracy, and traditional gender roles. These barriers disproportionately affect women, journalists, and youth, leaving them unable to exercise their right to information effectively.

To address these challenges, the University of the South Pacific (USP), with funding from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), has launched several initiatives to raise awareness about RTI and promote anti-corruption efforts.

This competition aims to inspire Tuvaluans artists, designers, developers, social media influencers and youth to conceptualise ideas that enhance RTI awareness through but not limited to creating visual mock-ups, illustrations and videos. While the competition will be an opportunity to explore participants’ creativity features that could promote transparency and awareness of RTI.

By focusing on education and awareness, this initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of individuals, particularly women, youth, and journalists, to advocate for transparency and accountability in governance.

A robust RTI framework promotes:

• Democratic Participation: Empowering citizens to engage effectively with government processes.
• Public Sector Efficiency: Encouraging transparency and efficiency in public institutions.
• Anti-Corruption Efforts: Helping citizens and journalists hold governments accountable.
• Informed Decision-Making: Equipping citizens with the information needed to make well-informed choices about policies and governance.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) are key partners in this effort to raise awareness about RTI in Tuvalu. The project aims to empower women, journalists, and youth by increasing their understanding of RTI through innovative awareness campaigns. CFLI’s funding is directed towards fostering gender equality and human rights, while USP contributes its expertise in community outreach, education and digital innovation.

Together, they seek to strengthen RTI awareness, ensuring that citizens, especially women and journalists, understand their right to access public information and how this can be a powerful tool in promoting transparency and reducing corruption.

The RTI Competition aims to:

• Test Participants’ Knowledge:Explore how citizens envision approaches or creative solutions to promote RTI awareness.
• Encourage Creative Thinking:Challenge participants to imagine innovative ways to enhance RTI understanding, whether through digital concepts, illustrations, or videos.
• Raise Awareness About RTI:Foster discussions about the importance of RTI, its benefits and how it can be effectively communicated and promoted to diverse audiences.

You can use these objectives as a guide when creating your innovative submissions for the competition.

The competition focuses on raising awareness about the importance of RTI and how creative ideas can effectively educate citizens about their right to information. Participants from Tuvalu are invited to submit conceptual designs, such as visual mock-ups, illustrations, or videos, that highlight awareness-raising features like educational content, clarity and accessibility. Submissions should be tailored to engage a diverse audience, including those with limited digital experience.

• The competition is open to individuals or teams of 4 members aged 15 years and above. For team submissions, the designated team leader will be responsible for submitting the entry on behalf of the team. In the event of a win, the team leader will also be responsible for coordinating the distribution of prize money among team members. In the event of a team win, the prize will be awarded to the team leader.
• Participants must be citizens of Tuvalu.

• Participants must register by scanning the QR code and by filling in the required details, including full name, age and contact information.
• Each participant of team can make multiple submissions.

Submission Requirements:

Design Submission

• Create a conceptual mock-up of an RTI-related app or website.
• Submit the design in JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, SVG, WEBP, HEIC, RAW, PSD or PDF format.
• Include a 200-300 word explanation describing the key features of the design and how it promotes RTI awareness.

Drawing or Illustration Submission

• Create an artwork related to RTI or freedom of access to information.
• Submit the artwork in JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, SVG, WEBP, HEIC, RAW, and PSD format.
• Include a 200-300 word description explaining the relevance of the artwork to the theme.

Video Submission

• Create a video of no more than 60 seconds highlighting RTI or freedom of access to information.
• Submit the video in video file format like MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MKV, WebM, 3GP, MPEG, and HEVC
• Include a 200-300 word description explaining how the video raises awareness about RTI.

Language

The languages permitted for use in this context are English and Tuvaluan (Local), allowing participants or contributors the flexibility to express themselves or communicate effectively in either of these two languages.

Submissions should be emailed to: vineet.singh@usp.ac.fj

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• Educational Value:How effectively the submission promotes awareness and understanding of RTI.
• Accessibility and Clarity:How clear and easy to understand the submission is for a wide audience.
• Creativity and Innovation:The originality of the submission and its ability to engage people in understanding RTI.
• Clarity of Message:The effectiveness of the submission in conveying RTI-related information.
• Aesthetics and Visual Appeal:The overall presentation, quality and visual impact of the submission.

Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 designs or video and others:

• 1^st Place: $1000 AUD
• 2^nd Place: $500 AUD
• 3^rd Place: $200 AUD
• 4^th Place: $100 AUD
• 5^th Place: $100 AUD

By participating in this competition, participants grant the organisers the right to use and display their submissions for educational and promotional purposes related to RTI awareness campaigns. Participants will be credited for their contributions.

Submissions that do not adhere to the competition guidelines, contain offensive content, or violate intellectual property rights will be disqualified. Strictly no use of Generative AI in your submissions.

Personal data collected during registration and submission will be used solely for competition administration and will not be shared with third parties.

• Launch Event: The competition will be launched on 18th October 2024, with registrations opening immediately.
• Submission Deadline: Participants must submit their designs by 19th January 2025.
• Judging Period: Judging will take place in January 2025.
• Judging Panel: a five member panel will ethically judge the submissions.
• Awards Event: Winners will be announced and awarded in February 2025 during the official event.

This competition is a unique opportunity to test participants’ understanding of how digital platforms can be conceptualised to raise awareness about RTI in the Pacific.