Right to information is internationally recognised as a human right, protected as part of the right to freedom of expression, which includes a right to seek and receive as well as to impart, information and ideas. The new government made commiment for anti-corruption and open and transparent government.

Pyi Gyi Khin has been building capacity of civil society organizations in a good understanding of key principles underlying the right to information so as to be able to engage effectively to promote a strong Right to Information law in Myanmar.

Myanmar has made a commitment to adopt a right to information law as part of its overall commitment to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP). The right to information is, however, far more important than simply as an eligibility criterion for the OGP. It has a number of important benefits, including as an underpinning of participation and accountability, facilitating the exposure of corruption and leading to a better business environment in order to promote democratic reform in Myanmar. Myanmar is one of countries which do not include Right to Information is fundamental right in its constitution. Lack of access to information has been recognized as major hindrance to citizen’s ability to make the government accountable for the provision of essential services, such as health and education.

Civil Society can play a crucial role in advocating the government and the parliament to develop RTI law and implementation of RTI more effectively. PGK’s programme on building awareness on RTI project is able to bring not only many civil societies who are interested in engagement and advocacy process in RTI but also give clear message to the government role of civil society in RTI process.

In Myanmar, the involvement of civil society in the development of legislation on RTI is also central to its democratic credentials.However, the understanding RTI among CSO is still challenges in order to engage this process. PGK will continue to address to build civil society organizations in a good understanding of key principles underlying the right to information so as to be able to engage effectively to promote a strong RTI law. PGK anticipated PGK will build awareness rising of CSOs in engagement and advocacy with RTI law process and link with more civil society group in more regions and states where PGK is not able to cover in the previous project. In addition, CSOs are able to spread greater awareness of the value and importance of a strong RTI law particularly where the information is related to services that directly affecting the public. Civil society organizations will also learn about importance of transparency in empowering citizen to make government accountable, enabling them to question on their government about poor performance, or to demand form their governments what was rightfully theirs.