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Mediterranean: Information, a “public good” made accessible by FEMISE

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(article appeared in http://ecomnewsmed.com, by Rédaction Ecomnews Med on 27/09/2019)

More than twenty countries celebrate the International Day of Universal Access to Information on 28 September. Focus on the action of the FEMISE network, which aims to promote access to information for citizens and decision-makers in the Mediterranean countries.

Information is a universal good, which is shared and transmitted, a right to which all citizens should have access. A fact that the FEMISE network of researchers is convinced about. Thus, to promote this sharing of information in the countries of the Mediterranean, the Think Tank provides its solutions: “At FEMISE, we promote free access to information. We believe that it is a public good and we encourage all our partners and all the members of the network to do the same, “assures Maryse Louis, General Manager of FEMISE. How ? By establishing partnerships with civil societies and think tanks to disseminate knowledge or providing open access to all online publications produced by the associated researchers. “FEMISE participates in the dissemination of information because the network embodies the link between research and operators who need to rely on the results of this research,” says Patricia Augier, coordinator and president of the Scientific Committee of FEMISE.

Work for positive social change

The objective: to provide information to citizens and decision-makers in the countries of the region and thus promote sustainable and inclusive development. “Access to information is crucial in the Mediterranean to try to reach more inclusive societies. FEMISE is addressing these issues to try to influence policy makers, “says Charlotte François, from Clermont-Auvergne University.

“Making information public and sharing it with others provides a better mechanism for monitoring and reporting, as well as better sharing of experiences and sharing of lessons learned,” says Karine Moukaddem, Policy Intern at Union for the Mediterranean and associate researcher at FEMISE.

Information is a crucial issue for democracy, since it requires decision-makers to be accountable. Transparency that can work for positive social change and help develop the countries of the region.

Because, as Karine Moukaddem concludes, “access to information is the key to improving and optimizing political practices“.

Article produced in partnership with EcomNews Med