20 YEARS OF TRANSPARENCY THAT BUILDS TRUST
Some rights quietly live within laws. And some rights have the power to shape democracy.
Twenty years ago, a fundamental civic right was given its legal voice. Today, that voice is an integral part of the democratic practice of the Republic of North Macedonia.
The right of access to public information, as one of the fundamental human rights guaranteed by our Constitution, has travelled a remarkable path over the past two decades – from a legal provision to a living democratic value.
From the right to information to empowerment in the hands of citizens. From an institution’s obligation to respond to a culture of transparency and accountability. This is where the Law goes beyond its legal text and becomes an instrument of democracy – promoting greater transparency, responsible governance, the protection of the public interest and institutional integrity.
Because a question calls for accountability, and an answer builds trust.
We marked this important anniversary yesterday, 28 September, in partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), within the framework of the “Communities with Integrity” project, with the support of the Governments of Switzerland and Sweden.
The institutional perspective was represented by the Director of the Agency, Petar Gajdov, who spoke about the responsibility of an institution that has spent two decades protecting and advancing citizens’ right to know – a right that has evolved from a legal guarantee into a living democratic practice.
The legislative perspective was brought by MP Ljupcho Prendzov, Chair of the Committee on Political System and Inter-Community Relations, highlighting the importance of the legal framework and the role of Parliament in creating the conditions for open and accountable institutions.
The European and partnership perspective was represented by H.E. Christoph Sommer, Ambassador of Switzerland, a country that has, through its longstanding commitment, supported North Macedonia’s reform path towards good governance, transparency, accountability and stronger institutions.
The tradition of openness and public access was presented by H.E. Ola Sohlström, Ambassador of Sweden, a country with one of the longest democratic traditions in the field of access to information – a value Sweden has upheld since 1766.
The local community perspective was brought by Orce Gjorgjievski, Mayor of the City of Skopje and President of ZELS, because it is precisely at the local level that transparency most directly becomes part of citizens’ everyday lives – the right to know, to ask and to receive answers to questions that directly affect them.
The voice of civil society was represented by Dance Danilovska-Bajdevska, Programme Director at Metamorphosis, reminding us that no law is truly alive unless its implementation is monitored, its enforcement continuously improved, and greater openness and accountability are pursued.
Six perspectives. Different roles. One shared value – open institutions, informed citizens and trust built every day.
From institutional responsibility and the legal framework, through international partnerships and the local community, to civil society – all perspectives led to one essential message: open institutions create informed citizens, and informed citizens create stronger democracies.
In a healthy democracy, information is a bridge. Knowing how decisions are made is your fundamental right.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW!
Because even the quietest question, when it receives an answer, becomes a voice of the public – and a step forward for democracy.
20 years of the right to know.
20 years of openness.
20 years of accountability.
20 years of transparency that builds trust.
