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PDP Conferences
4th Annual Freedom of
Information Conference
22nd & 23rd April 2008, London,
UK
This 2-day Freedom of
Information Conference is specifically designed to give delegates
key resources and practical information.
The first day features
expert speakers on the latest challenges facing FOI professionals.
The keynote speaker is Graham Smith, The Deputy Information
Commissioner.
On the second day, delegates
choose two workshops that explore topics in-depth and work through
real-life scenarios.
:: Book your place:
4th
Annual Freedom of Information Conference
The 3rd Annual Freedom
of Information Conference and Workshop Series took place in
London on 24th and 25th April 2007.
Delegates at this
two-day event heard from the UK's leading FOI experts including
Judith Cullen of DEFRA,
Rosemary Jay of Pinsent Masons, Ian
Rawlinson of the National Audit Office,
Timothy Pitt-Payne of 11
Kings Bench Walk, Jimmy Desai of Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons and
Damien Welfare of 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square.
Graham Smith, Deputy
Information Commissioner, gave a special extended keynote
address on key FOI developments from the Commissioner's
perspective. The delegates found the panel discussion with
Graham Smith and other experts especially useful.
Varun Shingari of
Birmingham City Council spoke on the significant issues that the
Council has faced in the last year, including dealing with the
case of Las Vegas Sands v Birmingham City Council as well
vexatious requests.
Day 2 consisted of four
practical Workshops led by Hazel Grant of Bird & Bird,
Jackie
Gray of Walker Morris and Rosemary Jay of Pinsent Masons.
At the Workshops the delegates worked through real-life
practical examples, and benefited from hearing about the
experiences of the other information professionals in their
sessions.
Feedback comments from
the delegates included:
“good
comprehensive sessions”
“I
really enjoyed it. Congratulations to the organisers”
“An
excellent source of reliable up to date information. Thank you”
Delegates wishing to
make additional comments can do so via email.
:: Click to view FOI Conference website:
www.foiconference.co.uk
Highlights from the...
2nd
Annual Freedom of Information Conference and Workshop Series
held in London February 2006 - The Conference day heard lively and
dynamic talks from the UK's foremost FOI experts:
The delegates heard first from Richard Smith, of the Office of
the Deputy Prime Minister, who gave a fascinating review of the
requests that the Department has received (including details of
some rather quirky ones), and the emerging trends.
Belinda Lewis, of the Department of Constitutional Affairs, gave
the DCA's view of the first year of FOI and said that the DCA
had been surprised by the number of 'commercial' requests that
had been made under the Act.
Graham Smith, Deputy Information Commissioner, gave a lively and
interesting presentation of the Commissioner's perspective.
He skilfully dealt with the current media criticism concerning
the delays and backlogs at his Office. He reminded
delegates that it is perfectly permissible to enquire as to the
reason for an FOI request, as long as that reason does not
colour the response that is made.
David Hencke of The Guardian gave an entertaining presentation
covering the successes and failures of the FOIA, and advocating
that ICO office requires more funding in order to do its job
properly.
Patricia Barratt, of Clifford Chance, gave a comprehensive talk
on enforcement issues - a topic often overlooked until it is too
late.
In the afternoon, Hazel Moffat brought to light many of the
overlooked issues in the private sector/public sector
relationship. The delegates were reminded that strong
confidentiality language in a contract may have no effect on the
eventual confidentiality issues.
Kelvin Smith, of the National Archives, educated the delegates
about records management issues - something mentioned by several
speakers as the new hot topic in FOI. He spoke about how
the management of records is essential to know what you do and
do not have. He also spoke about key issues to consider
regarding converting to digital records and determining what
records to keep, and what records to properly destroy.
Hazel Grant, of Bird & Bird, spoke on the Re-Use of Public
Sector Information, and Damien Welfare, of 2-3 Gray's Inn
Square, spoke about Environmental Information Regulations.
Both of these speakers gave clear concise, and lively talks
about these two areas that are intricately intertwined with the
FOIA. Many delegates commented that they now see how those
two pieces of legislation do, indeed, affect their FOI work.
The day proved both entertaining and enlightening. Feedback comments from the delegates included
"Excellent
event - I cannot see how it could be improved",
"Extremely informative" and "The best
Conference I have ever attended".
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Archived: 2006 FOI
Conference information
1st Annual Freedom of
Information Conference
held in
London 2005
The Deputy Information Commissioner, Graham Smith, said that he
looked forward to subsequent yearly Conferences.
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Other speakers,
FOI experts from Clifford Chance, the National Archives, the
Welsh Assembly, Matrix Chambers and others, were very well
received by a packed Conference hall.
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Archived: 2005 FOI
Conference information
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