Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Right to know
open-in-new
<p> Right to know is a <a href="/facts/Human_right/WMW5XCdM">human right</a> enshrined in law in several countries. <a href="/facts/UNESCO/QSbkRv3o">UNESCO</a> defines it as the right for people to "participate in an informed way in decisions that affect them, while also holding governments and others accountable". It pursues universal access to information as essential foundation of inclusive <a href="/facts/Knowledge_society/NdnmJ0Yq">knowledge societies</a>. It is often defined in the context of the right for people to know about their potential exposure to environmental conditions or substances that may cause illness or injury, but it can also refer more generally to <a href="/facts/Freedom_of_information/pvfAVnFl">freedom of information</a> or <a href="/facts/Informed_consent/V1vL4QSj">informed consent</a>. </p>