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UNESCO-IFLA advocate libraries in advancing inclusive Knowledge Societies and sustainable development at the WLIC 2023
The digital evolution continues to reshape the global information ecosystem, positioning libraries at the heart of knowledge dissemination and sustainability. Recognizing this, UNESCO and IFLA hosted a joint session, uniting experts to discuss the vital role libraries can play in advancing sustainable development on the occasion of the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) on 22 August 2023.
Titled, "IFLA and UNESCO: Building knowledge societies together", the session underscored a unified objective: making knowledge universally accessible in achieving sustainable development. From preserving and providing access to the documentary heritage that makes up the memory of the world, to promoting information literacy, accessibility, and multilingualism, preservation of and access to information.
"Libraries are foundational to building inclusive Knowledge societies and preserving our shared heritage. Collaborating with the library community, we can safeguard documentary heritage and ensure information and knowledge accessibility for all," remarked Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Communications and Information.
Echoing this sentiment, IFLA Secretary General, Sharon Memis, highlighted that "knowledge stands at the heart of our endeavours and ambitions.” This perspective, persistent throughout the dialogue, highlighted the urgency for strategic, actionable initiatives within the international library community.
UNESCO's Role in building inclusive Knowledge Societies
The synergy between UNESCO and libraries manifests in the new IFAP Strategic Plan (2023-2029) which puts a spotlight on how evolving digital ecosystems impact knowledge societies and the role libraries can play in mitigating these impacts. Furthermore, Ms. Xianhong Hu, Programme Specialist at the UNESCO Information for All Programme Secretariat, stressed the utility of the updated IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, endorsed by the IFAP Council during its 12th Session, available in 18 languages, making it valuable tool for academics and policymakers in understanding the evolving needs and roles of libraries.
Dian Kuswandini, Associate Programme Specialist, UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, highlighted the initiatives and impact of the 2015 Recommendation concerninging the preservation of, and access to, documentary heritage, including in digital form, offering insights into key trends of its implementation by Member States over the past four years, navigating inherent challenges, and capturing opportunities. One such opportunity includes identifying and nominating collections of world significance and outstanding universal values to the 2024-2025 cycle of Memory of the World International Register, which is open until 30 November 2023.
The discourse transitioned to pivotal questions: How are library and information professionals positioned in this broadening panorama and address the challenges of frontier technologies such as AI? And how does UNESCO strategize preserving documentary heritage within its sustainable development aspirations?
Practical Pathways for Libraries
During the session, a shared vision emerged, resonating with UNESCO representatives, Chair-Elects of IFLA’s Advisory Committees and library professionals: building Inclusive Knowledge Societies and safeguarding the world’s documentary heritage while facing digital transformation and climate change. Two major takeaways from the session illustrated clear directives for libraries:
Digital Transformation and the AI: Library communities continue to apply the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence as endorsed by the UNESCO’s 41st General Conference in 2021 and extend multi-stakeholder partnerships with relevant stakeholders to navigate the digital landscape. UNESCO also invites libraries to take part in the “Software source code as digital heritage” initiative, with the goal of collecting, preserving, and making available the source code of all software ever written, through a dedicated open platform.
Capacity-Building Initiatives: Especially for libraries in developing regions, the foc us is for libraries on becoming knowledge access points under UNESCO’s guidance.
Jonathan Hernández, the Chair-Elect of IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE), emphasized, “Libraries, under UNESCO’s guidance, have the potential to become pivotal frontiers for universal knowledge access.”
The Information for All Programme Projects and Initiatives in Library Advancement
Furthering these goals, IFAP has supported projects aimed at elevating libraries as pivotal knowledge centers, promoting digital literacy, and facilitating multilingualism in the digital age. An ongoing project, selected during the IFAP’s Call for Project’s Proposals in 2022, aims to establish an automation system for the National Museum Library of Sri Lanka. Currently under implementation, this initiative aims to refine collection management and deliver a user-centric referencing tool for both national and international researchers.
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