Information Policy of

the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is an international organization dedicated to upholding
human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe. Its Information Policy
is a comprehensive framework that guides the organization's approach to
information management, transparency, and public engagement. This policy
ensures that the Council's activities and decision-making processes are open
and accessible to the public, while also safeguarding individual privacy and
personal data.

AA by Anna De Johill
Principles of the Information Policy
1 Transparency
The Council of Europe is committed to
operating in a transparent manner, ensuring
that its activities, decisions, and the
information it holds are readily available to
the public.
3 Accountability
The Council is accountable for its actions and
decisions, and its Information Policy
establishes clear mechanisms for public
oversight and monitoring of its activities.
2 Accessibility
The Council's information and resources are
made available in a user-friendly and
accessible format, catering to the diverse
needs of its stakeholders, including citizens,
civil society organizations, and member
states.
4 Integrity
The Council upholds the highest standards of
data management and information security,
ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and
authenticity of the information it provides.
Transparency and Access to Information
Open Access to
Information
The Council of Europe actively
publishes a wide range of
information, including reports,
policy documents, and meeting
minutes, on its website and
other public platforms. This
ensures that the public can
easily access and review the
Council's work.
Freedom of Information
Requests
Individuals and organizations
can submit requests for
information they are interested
in, and the Council is obligated
to respond to these requests in a
timely manner, unless the
information is confidential or
sensitive.
Proactive Disclosure
The Council goes beyond simply
responding to information
requests and proactively
discloses a significant amount of
information about its activities,
decision-making processes, and
internal policies, promoting a
culture of transparency.
Data Protection and Privacy
Data Privacy Principles
The Council of Europe's Information Policy is
guided by the principles of data minimization,
purpose limitation, and storage limitation,
ensuring that personal data is collected, used,
and stored in a responsible and secure manner.
Safeguarding Measures
The Council implements robust technical and
organizational measures to protect the personal
data it processes, including encryption, access
controls, and regular security audits, to prevent
unauthorized access, misuse, or breach of
confidentiality.
Individual Rights
Individuals whose personal data is held by the
Council have the right to access, rectify, and
erase their information, as well as the right to
object to the processing of their data, in line with
the EU's General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR).
Data Protection Officer
The Council has appointed a dedicated Data
Protection Officer to oversee the
implementation of its data protection policies,
respond to inquiries, and ensure compliance
with relevant data protection laws and
regulations.
Freedom of Expression and Media
Freedom

Free Press Anti-Censorship Access to Media Pluralism

Information
The Council of Europe The Council actively The Council supports
champions the works to prevent and The Council's the development of a
fundamental right to combat any forms of Information Policy diverse and independent
freedom of expression censorship, ensuring promotes the public's media landscape,
and supports the that individuals and the right to access ensuring that citizens
independence and media can freely express information, which is have access to a wide
pluralism of the media, their views and opinions essential for informed range of news sources
recognizing its crucial without fear of reprisal. decision-making and and perspectives.
role in a democratic meaningful civic
society. engagement.
Public Participation and Civic Engagement
Consultations 1
The Council of Europe actively engages
with the public and civil society
organizations through various 2 Participatory Mechanisms
consultation processes, seeking their The Council has established a range of
input and feedback on its policies, participatory mechanisms, such as public
programs, and initiatives. hearings, online forums, and citizen
assemblies, to facilitate direct and
meaningful engagement with citizens and
Empowering Citizens 3 stakeholders.
The Council's Information Policy aims to
empower citizens by providing them with
the necessary information, tools, and
channels to actively participate in the
decision-making processes that affect
their lives and communities.
Implementation and Monitoring of the
Information Policy
Governance Framework

1 The Council of Europe has established a robust governance framework to oversee the
implementation of its Information Policy, including dedicated committees, working groups, and
reporting mechanisms.

Monitoring and Evaluation

2 The Council regularly monitors the effectiveness and impact of its Information Policy,
collecting feedback from stakeholders and conducting periodic reviews to identify areas for
improvement and ensure the policy remains relevant and responsive to the needs of the public.

Continuous Improvement

3 The Council is committed to continuously improving its information management practices,

incorporating best practices, and adapting to technological and societal changes to maintain its
position as a leader in transparency and public engagement.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
1 Commitment to Transparency
The Council of Europe's Information Policy
demonstrates its unwavering commitment to
transparency, accountability, and public
engagement, ensuring that its activities and
decision-making processes are open and
accessible to citizens and stakeholders.
3 Empowering Civic Engagement
By facilitating public participation and
providing citizens with the necessary
information and channels to engage, the
Council's Information Policy empowers
individuals and civil society to play an active
role in shaping the policies and decisions that
affect their lives.
2 Safeguarding Rights
The policy not only promotes the public's
right to access information but also ensures
the protection of individual privacy and
personal data, striking a balance between
transparency and data protection.
4 Continuous Improvement
The Council's commitment to regularly
monitoring and improving its information
management practices demonstrates its
adaptability and dedication to maintaining its
position as a leader in transparent and
inclusive governance.