According to the UN, universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. It is important as informed citizens can make informed decisions. Therefore, they believe that universal access to information is a cornerstone of healthy and inclusive knowledge societies, and it is part of the right to freedom of expression.  

By celebrating the international day, the aim is that more countries will adopt  legislation to foster freedom of information, develop policies for multilingualism and cultural diversity in cyberspace, and ensure that those people with disabilities are integrated. These steps will further strengthen progress towards the 2030 Development agenda and pave the way for the creation of knowledge societies worldwide. 

Background 

The day was established back in 2015 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and celebrated for the first time the year after. This was later followed by the UN General Assembly as they officially adopted the International Day for Universal Access to Information in 2019 in a resolution. This meant that from that moment on, every year on 28 September, the day is celebrated and commemorated.  

This year, the theme of the day is artificial intelligence, e-governance, and access to information. According to the UN, “artificial Intelligence and e-governance can play an important role to improve access to information in our digital world. They can help bridge the digital divide, by giving citizens access to tailor-made and accessible information. They can assure services that are more efficient. Citizens can access public sector information and services nearly instantly. Making government services digital enhances transparency and accessibility.” 

A global conference will launch the 2022 edition of the day. The conference will take place on 28 and 29 September in Toshkent, Uzbekistan and has the goal to call to mind the crucial importance of implementing access to information legal frameworks and stress the need to continue to act together towards the establishment of resilient, inclusive knowledge societies. 

Better Internet for Kids for the International Day for Universal Access to Information 

Here on the Better Internet for Kids portal, we are fully committed to this goal, so that everyone can have access to information, especially to online information. This also means that children and young people have the necessary skills and competencies to find information, make informed choices and express themselves in the digital environment safely and responsibly.  

• In the new BIK+ strategy, adopted by the European Commission in May this year, digital empowerment is one of the three pillars. Together with ensuring safe digital experiences and active participation, digital empowerment is one of the ways to build a better internet for kids. This means that the European Commission will develop and distribute teaching modules (MOOCs) for teachers to educate them about the necessary skills and competencies to find information and strengthen the support of Safer Internet Centres in Member States to provide children in vulnerable situations with non-formal education and training to address the digital divide. Read more about the BIK+ strategy here.  
• The resource repository on the BIK portal collects various educational resources provided by Safer Internet Centres (SICs). These resources are designed to help teachers, parents and carers, and children and young people, to be empowered and have the skills to use the internet and find information. 

Learn more about the International Day for Universal Access to Information on the website of the United Nations and keep an eye on #IDUAI on social media.