The International Day for Universal Access to Information 2025 (formerly known as International Right to Know Day) will be observed on Sunday, 28 September. To mark both this global occasion and Bermuda’s 10th anniversary of the right to access public information under the Public Access to Information Act 2010 (PATI), the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) invites the public to a free panel discussion: “The Power of Public Information and Why it Matters for Environmental Justice & Housing.” Featuring perspectives from government, local charities, and the media, the event will highlight how access to public information shapes crucial issues of environmental justice and housing.
The panel will feature:
Denise Carey – Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Home
Aaron Crichlow – Founder, Bermuda is Love
Victoria Cordeiro – Director, Department of Planning, Government of Bermuda
Diane Elliott – Director, Land Valuation Department, Government of Bermuda
Sarah Lagan – Chief Reporter, The Royal Gazette
Jason Outerbridge – Information Commissioner, Information Commissioner’s Office
Moderated by Arlene Brock, Bermuda’s first Ombudsman (2005-2014), the discussion will address opportunities and challenges in ensuring access to public information, combating disinformation, and strengthening public trust.
“Complex topics such as protecting Bermuda’s unique natural environment and tackling housing insecurity are top of mind for many in our community. Our aim is that this panel’s sharing of ideas, resources and experiences will raise awareness of the kinds of information that are publicly available and how that information can inform, inspire and empower anyone in our community to action. I thank each panel member and our moderator for agreeing to participate in this important public dialogue. We hope the public will join us in discussion, as we look at how being informed by accessing public information is essential as society contends with these very important issues”, said Commissioner Outerbridge.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 26 September 2025
Time: 5:30pm to 7pm
Venue: Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI)
The event is free and open to the public.
Editor Notes
International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI)
The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) (previously referred to as International Right to Know Day) is observed every year on 28 September. It originated in 2002, when civil society organizations and freedom of information advocates first marked Right to Know Day to raise awareness about the public’s right to access government-held information.
In recognition of its growing global importance, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed 28 September as the “International Day for Universal Access to Information” in 2015, and in 2019 the United Nations General Assembly adopted it with UN-level international observance.
Information Commissioners, advocates, human rights organisations, the media, public bodies, and the public in nearly 130 countries with public access to information laws celebrate the right to access information and the principles of openness, accountability and transparency on this day.
About the ICO
Since 2015, the Public Access to Information Act 2010 (PATI Act) has given Bermudians and residents the right to access public records, empowering citizens to question public authorities and to hold them accountable for the decisions that they make.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is Bermuda’s independent public office responsible for promoting the use of, and overseeing compliance with, the Public Access to Information (PATI) Act 2010. The PATI Act gives the public a right to access records held by public authorities, subject to legally defined exemptions and administrative grounds for denial of access. Individuals who are dissatisfied with the response of a public authority may seek an independent review by the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner conducts a review and the decisions by the Information Commissioner are legally binding.
Further information about the Information Commissioner’s Office is available at www.ico.bm. Contact our office on (441) 543-3700 or info@ico.bm.
