In my opinion, the term “information transparency” involves a degree of redundancy. In our
current information society, information transparency should be the norm, though
unfortunately this is not always the case. On the one hand, secrecy, deception and mistrust
undermine the desire of some to share valuable information; on the other hand, transparency
frenzy and an excess of information scare away those who are looking for plain and simple
facts. It is true that today, thanks to information technology, people are able to process huge
amounts of information. However, we need to ask whether all these bits and bytes of
processed information are really needed. At the end of the day, information is created through
communication, but all too often the human side of this factor is neglected. Human
communication drives trust, and trust promotes information, both in terms of quantity and in
terms of quality.

In order to fit into such a framework, information must be honest and serve the requirements
of effectiveness (work quality) and efficiency (the cost–benefit relationship). Hence,
information must be relevant, concise, accurate, simple and verifiable. Only when necessary
information is well organized will stakeholders involved in humanitarian mine action benefit.
This is the conditio sine qua non!

What sources provide us with information? We have computers and databases that process
information, and tools to help us make decisions on a variety of levels (strategic, operational,
technical, logistical, financial, etc.). These may save time, human and financial resources, and
in some cases even human lives. But it is human beings who carry the most valuable
information – knowledge and experience being the key factors.