Sunshine Week marks 20th anniversary

The 20th anniversary Sunshine Week observance March 16-22 features an open government conference in Washington, D.C.

Activities are coordinated by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, with support from the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation.

Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan collaboration among groups in the journalism, civic, education, government and private sectors that shines a light on the importance of public records and open government.

The Sunshine Week toolkit with Sunshine Week logos, social media graphics and content for publication is on the website, www.sunshineweek.org. 

New materials will be uploaded throughout February in preparation for the event.

In an effort to bring requesters and government officials to the same table and identify solutions for improving the public’s ability to acquire information, the 20th anniversary Sunshine Week agenda includes a new national event: Sunshine Fest in Washington, D.C. March 19-20. 

Headquarters for the event is the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The conference fee is $50, $25 for students. Registration is limited to 175 people.

Sunshine Fest attendees will have sessions with the Open Government Coalition, which has its annual Open Government Summit March 19. Network opportunities and break-out sessions are planned.

More information, including registration and tips for finding hotel accommodations and travel to and from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center is available on the Sunshine Week website, www.sunshineweek.org.