[open-government] Access to public documents via searchable database

[Walter Keim]

More then 115 states (http://right2info.org/laws) with more then 5,5 
billion inhabitants 
<http://www.africafoicentre.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1580:brazils-foi-law-lessons-for-africa&catid=293:afic-news&Itemid=561> 
adopted FOI laws (Access to Information Laws) or such provisions in 
constitutions.

Traditionally the application to access had to done by writing a letter. 
Manny states allow e-mail, speeding up the prosess. However it is still 
difficult to describe and find documents.

Norway introduced Electronic Public Records (OEP), which is described 
here: http://oep.no/nettsted/fad/OM-OEP.html


    About OEP

Electronic Public Records (OEP) is a collaborative tool which central 
government agencies use to publicise their public records online. Public 
record data is stored in a searchable database. Users can search this 
database to locate case documents relevant to their field of interest. 
Having located relevant case documents, users may submit requests to 
view these. Requests are sent to the respective agencies responsible for 
the case documents and public record entries. The agencies themselves 
then process requests, sent to them via OEP, and reply to users directly.


      What is the purpose of OEP?

OEP is part of the Norwegian Government's work to promote transparency 
and democracy within the public sector. OEP aims to make the Norwegian 
public sector more open and accessible to citizens. OEP is based upon 
the Freedom of Information Act and related regulations.


      About the technical solution

OEP's technical solution was developed in cooperation with Machina AS 
<http://www.machina.no/>. OEP has been developed as an open source 
solution. The solution is intended to be accessible to all kinds of user 
groups. It has been developed in keeping with universal design 
principles and web development standards.



-- 
Walter Keim
Netizen: http://sites.google.com/site/walterkeim/
Who will support transparency in Germany: http://home.broadpark.no/~wkeim/foi-ngo.htm http://home.broadpark.no/~wkeim/files/if-dimr-pbt-en.htm



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