FOI is Essential to Good Governance
Hello everyone! My name is Zion Coe, and I am the newest member of the Information Rights Unit within the Cabinet Office. For those who may not know, the Information Rights Unit serves as an internal resource for the entire public sector. Our primary role is to build capacity for compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act. We do this by delivering training and awareness sessions, providing procedural advice and guidance, and leading on statutory, regulatory, and policy revisions.
What is Freedom of Information and Data Protection?
This month’s Learning Corner topic is Freedom of Information (FOI)! The Freedom of Information Act provides members of the public with a general right of access to government records, promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation in national decision-making. Freedom of Information is a fundamental human right recognized in international law and enshrined in our Constitution as an institution supporting democracy. This right helps build trust in government, improves accountability, and encourages better decision-making. When the public can see how and why we act, confidence in our work grows.
The Data Protection Act (DPA), on the other hand, safeguards personal information from misuse. It requires us to handle people’s data lawfully, fairly, and securely. Whether it is a citizen’s contact details, financial information, or sensitive records, proper handling protects both the public and the government from harm and liability.
These two laws go hand-in-hand: FOI promotes openness, while the DPA ensures that in being open, we also respect privacy. Knowing when to release information and when to withhold it is not just a legal requirement, it is part of professional integrity.
FOI AWARENESS MONTH
September is all about Freedom of Information. On the 28th of September, we will join countries around the world in marking International Right to Know Day! This annual observance highlights the public’s right to access information held by government. This right of access is an essential foundation for transparency, accountability, and democracy. By learning more about FOI, we ensure that this right is not just recognized, but actively upheld in our daily work. The Cayman Islands Freedom of Information Act applies to all public authorities, which include ministries, portfolios, offices, departments, statutory authorities or bodies, and government-owned companies. That means if you are reading this article, the FOI Act applies directly to you.
As public servants, we hold a position of trust. Every document we write, every record we store, and every decision we make forms part of the public’s business. FOI is not only a legal requirement, but it is essential to good governance. These laws protect public trust, as confidence in government depends on both transparency and respect for privacy. They also improve the way we work by ensuring records are accurate, responses to requests are efficient, and breaches are avoided. Ultimately, every public servant has a duty to uphold government values and safeguard the rights of the people we serve.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
To help public servants navigate their responsibilities under the FOI Act, the Information Rights Unit is hosting an FOI for Public Servants training session. This interactive presentation will provide practical guidance on handling FOI requests, clear examples of when to release or withhold information, tips for ensuring compliance with FOI, and real-life case studies from around the world.
This training will strengthen your skills, protect you from common mistakes, and help you serve the public with confidence. Please see the following training sessions below.
Learning Corner Featured Training
· FOI for Public Servants – 24 September 2025 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
· FOI for Public Servants – 25 September 2025 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Other Relevant Training
· DP 102: Data Protection for Public Servants – 30 September 2025 (9:30 AM – 11:30 AM)
· FOI 101: Introduction to Freedom of Information (Online Session)
· DP 101: Introduction to Data Protection (Online Session)
Spaces are limited in our in-person courses, so secure your place today and help ensure our government remains both open and respectful of privacy, the way it’s meant to be. All courses can be register for or completed via CSC Online.
