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About CCDS – Open Space
The Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS) is a social change resource centre working to strengthen civil society and citizen’s action for social justice, human rights, sustainable development and accountable governance. CCDS’s strength is the innovative use of media and communication to empower civil society with information, analysis, diverse perspectives and alternative messages. Open Space is the youth and civil society outreach initiative of CCDS that facilitates debate, discussion and action on contemporary social, economic and cultural issues among youth and citizens.

About the Right to Information
Participation in governance is at the heart if any successful democracy. Public involvement not only enhances the quality of governance but also promotes transparency and accountability in government functioning. Following the enactment of the Right to Information Act in 2005, all citizens of India now have he right to access information. The RTI Act recognises that in a democracy like India, all information held by the government ultimately belongs to the people. One of the surest ways of ensuring that the RTI is properly implemented and serves its purpose of making the government more responsive, is for citizens to use it more and more and use it responsibly and effectively.

Objective of the course
The course is designed for people having no prior exposure to the RTI. The course will explain historical and philosophical background of this right presenting a systematic analysis of the provisions of the Act. Participants will understand the limitations and possibilities of the RTI and will be able to draft an RTI application.

Methodology
The course will be interactive in nature. Participants will participate in role plays, simulation exercises and make presentations.

Eligibility
Graduate in any discipline from a recognised university.

Registration
Registrations are open 22nd October 2008 onwards at Open Space between 11am. and 4pm. Registration forms need to be duly filled by candidates at the time of registration available at Open Space.

Course Fees
Rs.250/- (in cash only) are to be paid at the time of registration as fees. Registrations without fees shall not be considered. Fees once paid shall not be refunded for any reason whatsoever.

Course Strength
The course will admit only 25 participants on a first-come-first-served basis.

Duration of the Course and frequency of sessions
The course will be spread over 5 sessions of 3 hours each held twice a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays).

Course Venue:

CCDS – Open Space,
301, Kanchanjunga building,
Kanchan Lane,
Near Krishna Dining Hall,
Off Law College Road
Pune – 411004

Course Curriculum

Introduction to the RTI
Provisions of the RTI Act with information on using RTI.
Provisions of the RTI Act- focussing on the first and second appeals.
Interactions with – RTI users, activists and Public Information Officers.
Tips on drafting applications and appeals and ways forward.
Award of certificate
Certificates of participation will be awarded to participants who attend all sessions and complete course work.

NOTE: CCDS reserves the right to amend, vary or alter the course structure without any prior notice.

Resource persons:
Venkatesh Nayak – is Programme Coordinator Access to Information Programme of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) New Delhi. He is a trainer on Human Rights issues and CHRI is a non-partisan, independent international NGO headquartered in India. Human rights education and advocacy are at the core of all CHRI’s activities. CHRI believes that the active participation of civil society acting in concert is vital to ensuring rule of law and the realisation of human rights.

Vivek Velankar – is an engineer and also holds an M.B.A. He has 15 years of industry experience in India & USA . He has worked in top industrial houses in India like Bajaj Auto , Philips India , Videocon, Finolex cables etc.; and worked as Manager in one of the world’s largest consulting Firm Ernst & Young LLP;USA
He has successfully used right to Information act on various social issues ;Filed more than 100 RTI applications ; given more than 150 lectures on RTI awareness in Rotary clubs ; Lions Clubs; Corporate houses ; senior citizens clubs ; Colleges ; NGOs ; Govt. offices & Public meetings. National Trainer on RTI and done several
workshops for government officials across the country on RTIthrough YASHADA.

Vijay Kumbhar – is a Pune based RTI activist. He is a well known trainer on provisions of the RTI Act and has himself filed several RTI applications.