Tanzania, Unesco sign agreement to advance information access

Dar es Salaam. The government yesterday signed a cooperation strategy agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to advance access to information services in Tanzania.

The document was signed by the Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Mr Nape Nnauye and the Unesco representative to Tanzania, Mr Michel Toto.

The UN agency has a mandate to promote freedom of expression, access to information, and media development.

The strategy signed will guide the engagement with the government in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as far as information and communication are concerned.

The cooperation, which is implemented from 2022 to 2027, aims to support the government in addressing challenges, improving monitoring and reporting, and accelerating actions towards the achievement of the SDGs, said Mr Toto during a brief signing ceremony.

“This country cooperation strategy will guide Unesco’s work in the communication and information programme, with a long-term vision for Unesco’s technical cooperation to respond most effectively to Tanzania’s expressed development needs, priorities, and aspirations in this important area,” said Mr Toto.

According to Mr Nnauye, the cooperation will involve promoting freedom of expression and the right to information, fostering knowledge sharing and skill development in the digital age, and promoting media independence.

The cooperation will also include addressing legal and policy challenges, including the working conditions, safety, and security of journalists, media and information literacy, and digital citizenship.

“This cooperation strategy is the first we sign with Unesco. I hope it is the first of many others that we will sign to strengthen the mobilisation of resources and partnerships for free and independent media and the promotion of critical thinking and informed societies,” he said.

“Our work together will continue to accelerate commitments for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels,” he added.

“This, importantly, also aims to empower citizens to address issues of local concern but also make informed decisions about their daily lives, which is core to leaving no one behind,” Mr Nnauye said.