The freedom1 Forum successfully concluded its fourth round of 5-day training and internship on practical use of RTI on December 9, 2012.

The training was organized as part of the strategic campaign to promote demand for information in order to create a group of RTI activists and to encourage its practices at local level in a sustainable manner.
Ten vibrant activists from different districts of the country have participated in the training.

The trainees this time were Amita Kumari Bhandari from Bajhang, Sharada Mahato Dolakha, Sabitri Sharma of Bara, Milan Parajuli of Nawalparasi, Ajay Saha of Mahottari, Ganga Kumari Adhikari of Siraha, Kalika Nepali of Jajarkot, Netra Bahadur Shahi of Jumla, Lilajan Aidi of Kalikot and Manoj Kumar Barai of Kapilvastu district.

They were imparted theoretical session in the morning and thorough practical session in the afternoon. It was aimed at making them able to identify cases of RTI, filing application, demanding public and individual service related information, practice the entire processes involved in requesting information, follow-up of the request, complaint and appeal in the line with the RTI Act 2007 and Regulations-2008.

FF Chairman Taranath Dahal, senior journalist Dharmendra Jha, and RTI Support Centre Facilitator at FF, Sanjeeb Ghimire, facilitated the training.

It was compulsory for each intern that they file five applications that include three public interests information and two relating personal services such as pension, scholarship, government allowance, health, education etc.

The participants described the training as “very effective – both theoretical and practical”.

As one said, the training was “really useful, practical and relevant to my work. It will definitely help to enhance my activism for good governance in local level.”

Wrapping up the training, FF Chairman Dahal wished every participants success and expected activism in the local level through effective use of RTI.