Forum on role of media and citizens in an open society set

ON DEC. 5, Asia Society Philippines and the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance ( INCITEGov) will host “Transparency 5.0: From Theory to Action,” a multisectoral forum on harnessing modern mediums to effect positive change at a time when the roles and relationships of government, media, and citizens are evolving in an increasingly open society.

The event will feature keynote speeches from Senator Bam Aquino and Southeast Asian public affairs consultant and commentator Karim Raslan, as well as a roster of speakers and panelists that includes representatives from government and major TV and online news outlets. The forum on Dec. 5 begins at 1 p.m. at Fuller Hall at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.

“As we look to the future, technology will become an even more critical part of governance. Its effects have already become very real: government budget data is only a click away; rainfall amounts and flood warnings can be accessed real-time; and major government procurement is now mostly done online. But the pressing questions remain: Are we optimizing these opportunities as a means to unite us? How can we all become better partners in the cycle of public information?” said Suyin Lee, executive director of Asia Society.

The panel discussions will tackle several critical issues involving government, media, and the general citizenry: particularly, the practical implications and applications of open government, the role and impact of media on development and governance, and the ideal interaction among all parties in a landscape where almost all information is shareable.

“Open Governance is happening; And the Philippines, as founding member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), has committed to various initiatives towards transparent governance. The Filipinos, likewise, must do their part in making Open Society a reality… Public discourse should not be limited to creating platforms for ease and convenience but making people accountable to the information they access — both as sender and receiver. As can be appreciated in recent sociopolitical events, providing accurate, factual information to the public is key,” added Ching Jorge, newly elected PH-OGP co-chair and INCITEGov managing trustee.

Transparency 5.0: From Theory to Action is the fifth in Asia Society and INCITEGov’s series of annual Transparency Forums that have tracked the path of openness and transparency in government and society. The goal of Asia Society Philippines is to regularly host forums and discussions that can create a safe space for responsible, accountable and provocative conversations about the pressing issues of today.

The program fee is P300 for students, and P500 for regular attendees. Interested participants can register online at