IFLA has taken a leading role in organizing the 4th Civil Society Forum on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Read More
The Czech Republic, with its population of over 10.5 million and its more than 5,000 libraries, is often considered a country with the densest library network in the world. Not long after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 the country has become a temporary home for nearly half a million refugees (mostly women, children and the elderly). Czech libraries have reacted very quickly to the influx and began providing support for incoming refugees. Read More
World Press Freedom Day (3 May) pays homage to freedom of the press as an essential part of democratic, informed, and participatory societies. It calls for a reflection on its history, evaluation of the current state of press freedom around the world, and for remembrance of those journalists who have lost their lives providing access to information. Read More
Libraries not only depend on human rights to deliver their services – they actively contribute to their realisation. The values of libraries and many aspects of their missions are interlinked with ensuring access to information and freedom of expression. Both of these fundamental freedoms are also aspects of cultural rights. For their many actions to enable participation in cultural life, libraries can be considered cultural rights defenders. Read More
The April edition of the IFLA Newsletter is now out! Read More
IFLA will join Qatar National Library at their Libraries Lead Forum 2023, exploring the theme, “GLAMs and Cultural Diplomacy". Read More
When any type of cultural property disappears, it is a great loss to humanity. However, around the world, cultural objects are at risk of illicit theft and trafficking. This is a complex issue, and working to counter these threats is not a task that one can take on alone. There is a need for collaboration between cultural institutions, like libraries and museums, and with law enforcement, customs organisations, and other stakeholders. IFLA is dedicated to helping protect the world’s cultural heritage, and we work with many partners to build capacity to counter the threat of trafficking. Read More
IFLA will join the 16th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions at UNESCO Headquarters. Read More
The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (UNESCO’s 2005 Convention) will convene for their 16th session from 7-10 February in Paris, France. Read More
The Culture 2030 Goal campaign, of which IFLA is a member, has urged UNESCO Member States to make good on their commitment to promote an explicit culture goal in future development frameworks, as made in the declaration from MONDIACULT 2022. The campaign's zero-draft for a culture goal provides an excellent starting point. Read More