The event was attended by Prof. Mohammad Alsubu, An-Najah's Vice President for Academic Affairs; Mr. Maher Awawdeh, Representative of the Ministry of Information; Ms. Hilde Haraldstad, the Norwegian Representative in Palestine; Mr. Ahmad JunaidSorosh, Officer-in-Charge at the UNESCO Ramallah Office; Ms. Hala Tannous, focal point for Communication and Information and Executive Assistant to UNESCO Representative at UNESCO Ramallah Office; Ms. Rasha Amarneh, General Manager of Legal Affairs at the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission and Ms. Rima Al-Amleh, Representative of Palestinian Syndicate of Journalists.

On the occasion of the International Day for Universal Access to Information on September 28 each year, speakers emphasized the right to seek and receive information, stressing the importance of elaborating an Access to Information Law, which would lead to sustainable development, achieve accountability, promote integrity and transparency and strengthen good governance.

Participants also stressed the importance of the enactment of laws that ensure the right to Access to Information, whether in Palestine or other countries that have not enacted such laws yet.

In the opening speech, Prof. Alsubu welcomed the attendees and expressed his delight about launching the report at An-Najah National University and talked about several achievements of the University over the past few years including being ranked the most productive university in Palestine with regards to scientific research and many other fields. He also stressed the importance of mutual cooperation between An-Najah and Oslo Metropolitan University and commended the UNESCO's role in launching the report and announcing it from the heart of An-Najah University.

During his remarks, Mr. Ahmed JunaidSorosh thanked An-Najah University for hosting this event and ‎said: " I am proud to announce that on the occasion of this celebration, we are launching UNESCO'S in Focus report " Access to Information: A New Promise for Sustainable Development." We are hopeful that all extensive efforts that were put forward in the process of elaborating an Access to Information Law will lead to the swift adoption of a final text that is fully in line with the international standards and principles.” ‎

Ms. Tannous presented UNESCO's report on Access to Information, focusing on the main trends in access to information; namely, ATI is recognized more and more as a prerequisite for sustainable development, increased interest in providing ATI statutory guarantees and improving implementation and new digital challenges and opportunities ahead.

Commenting on the report, Ms. Amarneh pointed out that “the right to have access to information has become a fundamental human right like the freedom of opinion and expression". She also referred to the importance of adopting and improving legislation for public access to information to drive sustainable development, achieve accountability, promote integrity and transparency and strengthen good governance in Palestine. Moreover, Ms. Amarneh talked about the campaigns which were led by journalists and civil society institutions in 2010 and 2011 to enact an integrated law in Palestine.

In turn, Mr. Awawdeh talked about the current circumstances in which Palestine is going through because of the Israeli occupation. He pointed out that despite all the difficult circumstances that the Palestinian people are going through, the relevant ministries and civil society institutions in Palestine are seeking to enact an appropriate law and make progress on this issue.

Ms. Haraldstad thanked An-Najah University for hosting the event and commended the long standing cooperation between An-Najah and Oslo Met on media education. She also awarded a special mention to Dr. Farid Abudheir, Lecturer at An-Najah's Department of Communication and Digital Media for his efforts. Ms. Haraldstad also pointed out that access to information is clearly linked to and reinforces the fundamental human right of freedom of expression, both of which are prerequisites for social and political participation. "The right to seek and receive information is also increasingly recognized as a prerequisite for sustainable development and prosperity. The availability of reliable data for citizens, journalists, civil society, law enforcement agencies and others, also contributes greatly to facilitate accountability and it is also an essential tool in the fight against corruption, a crippling phenomenon for many states.", said Ms. Haraldstad.

Ms. Al-Amleh pointed out that the absence of a law on the right to have access to information hinders journalists' work. The Palestinian Syndicate of Journalists is working and cooperating with civil society institutions in Palestine to enact and implement the law.