FOISA Conference 2006: Freedom of Information in Scotland One Year On

FOISA Conference 2006: Freedom of Information in Scotland One Year On

A major conference on Freedom of Information in Scotland has been organised by Act Now Training Ltd and will take place on 7th February 2006 in the City Centre Hotel, Edinburgh (9.45am – 4.30pm). Speakers include the Scottish Information Commissioner and representatives from the media, campaign groups, solicitors and councils.

Topics to be covered include:

• Latest news from the Scottish Information Commissioner
• The Commissioner’s approach to enforcement
• New developments and cases
• The journalist’s perspective
• How to get the media on your side
• Impact on central and local government
• The private sector perspective
• Commercial confidentiality and the right to know
• Lessons from FOI around the world
• Links to other legislation
• Practical steps to compliance

The main programme includes the following speakers:

• Paul Simpkins
  Information Law Expert
  Chairs opening remarks
  
  
• Ibrahim Hasan
  Information Law Expert
  Legal Issues arsing so far, main exemptions and decisions, grappling with public interests, balancing privacy with the right to know, Linking FOI with Re Use of Public Sector Information Regulations and EIR
  
  
• David Goldberg
  Scottish Campaign for Freedom of Information
  A battle won? Damp Squib or Hot potato? Pressure points, Requests made and answers received, Tips to achieve openness, SCFOI Plans for 2006 and beyond
  
  
• KEYNOTE ADDRESS
  Kevin Dunion
  Scottish Information Commissioner
  The state of compliance so far, Do we have a culture change? Commissioner’s key decisions, Help and guidance, Enforcement strategy, Future plans
  
  
• Rob Edwards
  New Scientist and Sunday Herald
  A Journalist’s perspective, Requests made, Answers good and bad, How to get the media on your side
  
  
• Alan Graham
  Information Compliance Officer, Stirling Council
  Experiences so far, What type of requests received, Cost of compliance, Policies and procedures in place
  
  
• Kelly Harris
  Solicitor, Shepherd & Wedderburn
  Views from the private sector, Requests made and received, Contract and procurement issues, Comparisons with New Zealand’s FOI regime
  
  
• Jane Mackenzie
  Head of FOI Policy Branch, Scottish Executive
  Central government’s view of implementation, Guidance and training, Request to the Scottish Executive, Future plans
  
  
• Panel Discussion
  Questions from the floor, Top tips, Lessons learnt so far, the way forward

Tickets for the event are on sale now and the full programme and booking form can be found on the Act Now website: www.actnow.org.uk.