Advanced Certificate Course In The RTI Act -- 29-30 January 2010

Information is Power
Unearthing corruption cases, finding out the current status of potholes, tracking the status of jobs in government departments and exposing political interference in transfers are but a few instances where the Right To Information Act 2005 has played a major role. Within the first year of implementation of the RTI Act between October 2005 and December 2006, 1.24 lakh applications were received of which 1.13 lakh were disposed of. At the Centre, till March 2006, 24,436 applications were received and 21,049 disposed of.
The largest number of applications received in Maharashtra is against municipal corporations and councils, and the Education, Home and Revenue departments -- the highest being the Urban Development department which received 23,552 applications!
A recent review has revealed that the maximum advantage of the RTI has been taken by the middle class, mainly employees of the public and private sectors.
You Can Too!!
Open Space, Pune in collaboration with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, New Delhi, brings to Pune’s citizens an Advanced Certificate Course in the Right to Information Act 2005.
The two-day advanced course will benefit citizens pursuing RTI applications and help organisations and groups in integrating the use of RTI in their rights-based advocacy on social justice issues. The course will be facilitated by RTI activists and experts using interactive methods like presentations, exercises and case studies.
Registration for the course begins 12th January 2010 onwards on a first come first served basis. Forms available at Open Space between 11am. and 4pm. Last date for registration is 23rd January 2010.
Course Fees Rs.250/- (in cash only) (all inclusive) to be paid at the CCDS-Open Space office on time of registration. Fees once paid shall not be refunded for any reason whatsoever.
Number of seats
The course will admit only 30 participants on a first-come-first-served basis.
CCDS – Open Space, 301, Kanchanjunga building, Kanchan Lane, Near Krishna Dining Hall, Off Law College Road, Pune
Dates: January 29th and 30th 2010
Course timings: 9 am to 5 pm

Open Space is a youth and citizens’ forum that promotes debate, discussion and citizens’ action for social justice, human rights, sustainable development and accountable governance.
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative is an independent, non-partisan, international non-governmental organisation mandated to ensure the practical realisation of human rights in the countries of the Commonwealth.
The course will be facilitated by
Mr. Venkatesh Nayak – Programme Coordinator, Access to Information Programme, CHRI, New Delhi.
Ms. Navaz Kotwal - Programme Coordinator, Access to Justice Programme, CHRI, New Delhi.
Ms. Vinita Deshmukh – Senior journalist, RTI activist and Editor, Intelligent Pune.
For more information on the course log on to www.openspaceindia.org or call Rakesh Ganguli on 9921090931
For further information on any of these programs call Openspace at 25457371
Open Space encourages debate and action on rights, justice and sustainable development.
Open Space is an initiative of the Centre for Communication & Development Studies (CCDS) aimed at strengthening civil society and mobilising citizen’s action.