Democracy is dependent on open and accountable government and active citizen participation but this can only really come about where the information and the means to access it is readily available.

In the context of our work in governance we are concerned with the access to information agenda and the appropriation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a tool to enable conditions of social inclusion. A rights-based approach is taken with the agenda and very much considered in the context of our other areas of work in governance - modernising government, participative democracy, law and human rights, gender.

Areas of interest include e-government, e-democracy, e-citizen and freedom of information and expression. In each of these areas we work to build resources by establishing networks and contacts, raising awareness on UK policy and initiatives at government, civil society and private sector level facilitating opportunities for international debate and knowledge sharing.