Open Democracy Advice Centre

Description

The Open Democracy Advice Centre is a non-profit company based in Cape Town that promotes open, transparent and accountable democracy in South Africa.

Its mission is to foster a culture of corporate and government accountability and to help people in South Africa realize their human rights. It works to make the right to know a real, practical difference in the lives of the poor, contributing to social and economic justice. It provides practical services to individuals and organisations with a social justice agenda, helping citizens access their rights under three laws: the Protected Disclosures Act, the Promotion of Access to Information Act, and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act.

The Centre helps civil society access public and private information, including through test case requests and test case litigation. It supports actual and potential whistleblowers by providing legal advice, support and case referral under the Protected Disclosures Act. It assists public and private institutions to develop policies, procedures and systems for implementing this legislation. It also runs public awareness campaigns and workshops, and conducts applied and comparative research to monitor how the laws are used and to help refine them.