Bermuda will join countries around the world in marking International Right to Know Day next Wednesday.

The Information Commissioner’s Office will be hosting a series of public events starting tomorrow as it celebrates the right to access information and the principles of openness, accountability, and transparency.

The main event will be a discussion entitled “Just Ask! Looking Back and Looking Forward at Our Right to Know”, featuring panellists from the Bermuda Youth Parliament, Take Back Our Park, the Ombudsman, and the Human Rights Commission.

According to a statement released by the ICO, the purpose of International Right to Know Day is to increase individual’s awareness of their right to access records held by the government and other public authorities, and the importance of this right in an open and robust democracy.

International Right to Know Day was established on September 28, 2002, by campaigners from around the world to mark the creation of the Freedom of Information Advocates Network.

The day is celebrated globally with events including programmes, conferences, speakers, film screenings, awards ceremonies and radio programmes. While some countries celebrate the day, other feature a “Right to Know Week”.

An information booth in the Washington Mall tomorrow will kick-start local events, which will wrap up on September 30.

The events include:

• September 23: Just Ask! Information booth on the second floor stairway of Washington Mall from 12pm to 2pm.

• September 26: Just Ask! Information booth on the second floor stairway of Washington Mall from 12pm to 2pm.

• September 27: Just Ask! Information booth on the second floor stairway of Washington Mall from 12pm to 2pm.

• September 28: Just Ask! Live Facebook Chat with the Information Commissioner on Bermemes online from 12pm to 1pm.

• September 28: “Just Ask! Looking Back and Looking Forward at Our Right to Know” panel discussion at the Hallet Hall, Bermuda College, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

• September 30: Just Ask! Information booth (with the information commissioner) on the second floor stairway of Washington Mall from 12pm to 2pm.

For more information, see the flyer under “Related Media”.