Ark Group’s ‘FOI D-Day’ conference

I will be chairing this conference in October, hope to see some of you there:

More info at: ARk-Group website

Speakers day one

Speakers day two

With only two months to go, Ark Group’s ‘FOI D-Day’ conference is the most important event leading up to January 2005. It features all the key players, including a keynote address from Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, and includes speakers from a range of public sector organisations. It is aimed at all public authorities, including central and local government, health, police, education and all other public bodies. But most importantly, it addresses the biggest challenges with FOI and clarifies the areas you are struggling to get to grips with whilst providing numerous opportunities to actually practice handling all types of FOI requests.

Interactive break out sessions will allow delegates to run through:

How to interpret exemptions and when to apply the public interest test
How to apply the FOI Act to information about procurement and contracts
How to handle environmental information requests
How to handle FOI requests from journalists
How to effectively manage your records
How to create awareness and effectively train your staff
In addition, the following topics will also provide you with guidance on areas that have yet to be fully addressed:
The new environmental information regulations
FOI Fees Regulations
Information requests consisting of personal data
The copying of copyright documents in complying with information requests
What to expect from the press and how to cope