UNESCO organises talks on access to information, development in Irbid

AMMAN — The UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) on Monday organised a meeting at Irbid's Yarmouk University to discuss the relationship between access to information and sustainable development.

The event gathered more than 200 students and academics, representatives of youth and sustainable development related organisations, the EU, UN and diplomatic representatives, government representatives, media and other actors working towards creating inclusive and informed societies, a UNESCO statement to The Jordan Times said.

Held under the patronage of Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson Jumana Ghunaimat, the talks emphasised how a better informed citizenry can more efficiently strive to achieve sustainable development, reduce inequalities, promote employment and realise gender equality.

Underlying the contributions of access to information to achieving democracy and bringing about the desired change, UNESCO representative to Jordan Costanza Farina said, "the IPDC Talks are an excellent forum to highlight the importance of access to information and freedom of expression which empower individuals to take part in informed decision-making.”

EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana underscored the role of accessible information in promoting human rights and dignity, and to eradicate poverty. ”What needs to happen, is to work together to create opportunity for everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from," he said, adding “access to information is a key driver for taking forward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and EU development policies and strategies, since EU sees that the 2030 Agenda is an extraordinary opportunity to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development."

Within the UN system and across the international community, the IPDC is the only multilateral forum promoting communication and media development globally. It aims to protect the freedom of individuals and the press in keeping citizens informed, the statement said, noting that these objectives are intertwined with the efforts towards realising the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The IPDC Talks were funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Lithuania and, in Jordan, the European Union has also funded the talks through the “Support to Media in Jordan” project, which has been implemented by UNESCO with strong collaboration and funding from the EU since 2014.