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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002:OPEN LEARNING WORKBOOK
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002 - TRAINING MATERIALS
Foreword to Open Learning Workbook for Scottish Public Sector Staff
"Openness is central to a modern, mature and democratic society and serves to strengthen government and to empower people". These were the words of Jim Wallace, the Deputy First Minister, in the Forward to "An Open Scotland", the consultation document that preceded the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. The legislation has been passed by the Scottish Parliament, and the responsibility now lies on all of us across the public sector to turn the ideal of openness, a core founding principle of the Scottish Parliament and Executive, into reality.
The Act will come fully into force on 1 January 2005, but Scottish public authorities need to be preparing for that well in advance. A vital element to those preparations must be the provision of appropriate guidance and training for staff, and I am therefore very pleased that the Executive has been able to put together an integrated suite of materials which we are making available to all bodies to whom the legislation applies.
This open learning workbook is the main element in the suite of training materials; a template for an awareness-raising leaflet is also available and a "train the trainers" pack will be available very shortly. The materials have been developed by Masons, the solicitors, on behalf of the Scottish Executive, and has benefited from the comments and experience of a cross-sector verification group drawn together under the Scottish Freedom of Information Implementation Group. The workbook reflects the current position, but will be revised over time to reflect changes to guidance or legislation, and to respond to feedback on the materials from authorities or Scottish civic society more widely.
Copyright of the materials remains with the Scottish Executive, but authorities are welcome to copy and further develop the materials in a way which best suits the needs of their own organisations.
I am confident that this open learning workbook and the associated materials will provide an invaluable tool for Scottish public authorities and their staff as they prepare to implement the Freedom of Information legislation, and I look forward to seeing in practice the increased openness and accountability that the Act promotes.
TAVISH SCOTT
Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services
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