BackThe Centre for Freedom of Information - a joint venture between the School of Law, University of Dundee and the Scottish Information Commissioner - is pleased to invite registration for the Information Commissioners' European Regional Meeting and Conference, to be held in Edinburgh 3-5 November 2014.
The programme consists of
3 November – Evening drinks reception in the Scottish Parliament
4 November- Full day Conference, followed by Commissioners Dinner, Macdonald Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh
5 November - Commissioners Regional Meeting (half day), Macdonald Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh
This is the first time since 2006 that such a regional meeting has taken place and it provides an excellent opportunity to engage with colleagues old and new. As well as participating in the open conference, there is a closed meeting at which particular issues of interest and concern to Commissioners can be aired and shared.
As you will see from the Conference agenda (attached) we have keynote speakers to address topical issues, including:
Anya Proops, a leading barrister from London, who represented the UK Information Commissioner at the Court of Justice of the European Union in a recent appeal. At issue was whether privatised water companies in England were subject to the EU Directive on access to environmental information. The opinion of the Court in that case could have significant implications for Commissioners determining whether private providers of public services must comply with environmental information requests.
Jeremy Wates, Executive Director of the European Environmental Bureau, and formerly Secretary of the Aarhus Convention, who will recall what was intended by the Convention.
Professor Richard Kerley, who will consider the trend of the contracting out of public services to private contractors.
Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley, University of Edinburgh, whose research for the Scottish Government on public attitudes to sharing data on individuals identifies the key factors which impact on public trust.
As with previous international meetings of Information Commissioners, we are unable to pay for your travel and accommodation. However we will provide:
- A drinks reception on the evening of Monday 3 November to meet with speakers and some invited guests.
- Free delegate places at the conference on Tuesday 4 November, with lunch (the normal delegate fee is £170)
- Commissioners' dinner, with wine, on the evening of Tuesday 4 November.
The event is being organised by the Centre for Freedom of Information, which will handle any queries you may have and can assist with finding accommodation (for example we have a limited number of reserved places available at a preferential rate in the venue hotel).
We would ask you to register now, using the Registration Form (attached). You can register up to three delegates (Commissioner and/or staff) without cost. The deadline for registration is Friday 17 October 2014, however we would appreciate early registration to assist with planning.
Please send registration forms to Shirley Fraser, (s.w.fraser@dundee.ac.uk), who can also provide assistance with any queries you may have. We hope to see you in Edinburgh.
Source: Centre for Freedom of Information, UNITED KINGDOM
