Members of FOIAnet are civil society organizations with active programmes to promote the right to know.

That is, the right of everyone to ask questions of governments and inter-governmental organisations and to receive answers. The right of access to information also places the obligation on governments to promote information proactively so that the public can know what public authorities are doing without having to file requests for information.

FOIAnet runs a discussion list for news and debate on the right of access to information; there are currently over 400 people on this list, including CSO representatives and lawyers, academics, information commissioners and others with a specialised interest in the right to information.

The FOI Advocates Network launched International Right to Know Day. The first International Right Know Day was celebrated on 28 September 2003. Every year on 28th September activities take place around the world to promote the right to of access to information: the right to know!

If you wish to apply for membership, please send an e-mail enquiry to the FOIAnet coordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or the Chair of the Steering Committee, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

FOIAnet Steering Committee

The Steering Committee of the Freedom of Information Advocates Network is a key element of the FOIAnet. By periodically changing the membership of the Steering Committee the FOIAnet aims allow many organizations working on the right to know to get involved in strengthening the network and ensuring that it meets the needs of its members.

The functions of the FOIAnet Steering Committee are to:

1. • Bring expertise and ideas to the FOIAnet from a diverse range of communities and regions;

   • Oversee approval of membership of new organizations;

   • Oversee funding of the FOIAnet, contributing ideas and helping the Coordinator with fundraising proposals;

   • Working  with the Coordinator and the network itself to promote Right to Know Day on 28th September each year;

2. • Represent the FOIAnet at events

3. • Set and organise elections.

   • Promote the Right to Know and the FOIAnet.

The Steering Committee is made up of 7 members, one of whom is the Chair. The Chair is the nominee who receives most votes in the elections. The role of the Chair is the same as those of the other members but they also become the primary spokesperson for the network.

The current Steering Committee members are listed below, they were elected in July 2010. During the first Steering Committee meeting, it was confirmed that Toby Mendel would be Chair of the Committee.

Members of the Steering Committee

Toby Mendel, Centre for Law and Democracy, Canada (Chair)

Eduardo Bertoni, Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, Argentina
Gergana Jouleva, Access to Information Programme, Bulgaria
Andrea Figari, Transparency International, Germany
Said Essoulami, Centre for Media Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa (CMF MENA), Morocco
Codru Vrabie, Advocacy Academy, Romania
Shushan Doydoyan, Freedom of Information Center of Armenia, Armenia

Members of organisations of the FOIAnet have an opportunity to nominate themselves to the FOIAnet steering committee every 2-4 years. All member organisations are able to vote in the elections of the new Steering Committees.

Meetings of the Steering Committee

The Steering Committee hold meetings approximately once every four months.  Below are the minutes of the Steering Committee meetings since July 2010 when the current steering committee was elected.

Meeting (via conference call) 13th September 2010, Minutes of the Meeting 

Meeting (via conference call) 2nd November 2010, Minutes of the Meeting

Meeting (via conference call) 31st January 2011, Minutes of the Meeting

Meeting (via conference call) 15th June 2011, Minutes of the Meeting

The next meeting of the steering committee is scheduled for the end of April. The minutes of the meeting will be circulated on the network discussion list and on the website as soon as possible after the meeting.

For more details, or to comment on the minutes or activities of the FOIAnet, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOIAnet Funding

The Freedom of Information Advocates Network was founded in 2002. It is not a registered organization, but rather a network run with the voluntary efforts of its members, including the members of the Steering Committee who do not receive any form of stipend.

We are grateful to the Open Society Justice Initiative for its support of the coordination of the network, maintenance of the mailing list and ongoing work of the Webmaster and website updating. The grant, was during 2003-2008 managed by the Access to Information Programme, Bulgaria and in 2008-2009 by Access Info Europe, Spain.

The current annual running costs are about $16,000 / € 12,000 per year with additional funds for translation of materials.

If any individuals or private foundations would like to contribute to these costs, please contact the Chair of the Steering Committee, currently This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .