What’s the best way to advance press freedom and the safety of journalists within the OGP process? This session seeks to answer the question through a detailed examination of the situation facing Mexico, the host of the OGP Summit and one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists. It will be conducted in a “fishbowl” format and will feature leading journalists and media activists like Norma Trujillo and Daniela Pastrana. Representatives from the Colombian and Mexican government will discuss actions they’ve taken, such as the creation of a special protection mechanism for journalists under threat.
A strong and vibrant civil society is important for a sustainable and just development and a pre-condition to achieve the SDGs. During the session we want to create a multi-stakeholder space to understand the trends in terms of role and space for civil society in different countries. From there on it will explore new ways of supporting civic space and the enabling environment for civil society as a critical precondition for a functioning OGP and achievement of SDGs. This should lead than to a number of on action points that can be taken up in the OGP National Action plans.