Transparency and Access to Documents in the EU: Ten Years on from the Adoption of Reg.1049/2001

Description
The seminar will familiarise participants with the various aspects of “openness and transparency” in the EU. While linking the concept of transparency with the broader issues of political accountability and democratic deficit, the sessions will address the latest developments regarding access to documents. These will cover both the acts of the community institutions and other bodies such as agencies, treatment of sensitive data, relevant case law as well as the role of the Member States. Furthermore the seminar will focus on the changes resulting from the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and their ramifications on the revision process of Regulation 1049/2001.

Objectives
The objective of the seminar is to highlight the practitioners’ view on the application of European provisions on transparency, to allow for a discussion on the key challenges of Regulation 1049/2001, and to demonstrate different issues faced by the institutional actors in the application of the legal framework for transparency and access to documents.
At the end of the seminar participants will have a sound understanding of “the politics of information” at the European level, be more aware of the rights and obligations underpinning the access and treatment of documents and have a better insight into the strategies aimed at promoting an open Europe.

Target group
This seminar is recommended for anyone whose work relies on public access to documents or relates to the treatment of sensitive information. It is aimed at, among others, information officers, information managers, data protection officers, European, national and sub-national officials, data protection and information lawyers, legal advisors, staff of civil liberties associations, consultants, lobbyists, journalists and researchers.

Method
Utilizing a variety of training methods: lectures and presentations, group discussions and on-line demonstrations.

Programme
The programme will commence on Monday at 09.00 and will finish on Tuesday at 13.30.

Course Venue
The course will take place at the Green Conference Room (1.45) of the European Institute of Public Administration, O.L. Vrouweplein 22, NL-6211 HE Maastricht, tel.: +31 43 3296222, fax: +31 43 3296296.

Working language
The course will be conducted in English.

Fee
The participation fee is € 800 and includes documentation, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and refreshments. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.
EIPA offers its members a reduction of 10% of the registration fee. For details, please click here.

Hotel reservations
The European Institute of Public Administration will be pleased to make hotel reservations for you at a hotel in Maastricht.We have made a block booking at Hotel Beaumont (www.beaumont.nl), at the rate of ± € 105 p.p.p.n. (incl. breakfast and tourist tax).
Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please indicate the dates of arrival and departure on the registration form. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel on checking out. Please note that if you register after the closing date, hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed.

Meals
Meals will be served at the Institute’s restaurant and dinner in the evening will be at a restaurant in town. Should you require a special menu (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic), please inform the Programme Organiser so that this can be arranged.

Registration
Kindly complete the online registration form and return it before 29 August.
Your name and address will be part of EIPA's database for our mailing purpose only. If you do not want to be included in our mailing database, please tick the box in the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation. Please indicate the method of payment on the registration form. For cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins, we will have to charge an administration fee of € 150 unless a replacement participant is found.

Cancellation policy
EIPA reserves the right to cancel the seminar up to 2 weeks before the starting date. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, hotel, etc.). For EIPA's cancellation policy, please visit our website.