IFLA was represented at the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Conference 2024, engaging with key partners in the EdTech ecosystem to make the case for libraries to be integrated into broader EdTech plans in Africa. We are grateful to Damilare Oyedele for this report. Read More
From the 4 to the 8 of December 2023, IFLA participated at the UNCTAD eWeek that was held at the CICG in Geneva. The global voice of libraries remains relevant in these conversations as libraries hold significant value in the digital economy as they ultimately contribute to the growth of a digitally skilled and economically empowered community. Read More
IFLA will attend the 2023 UNCTAD eWeek to reaffirm the growing importance of libraries in the digital economy and to explore good practices, possible ways of engaging in partnerships for inclusive digitalization and actionable steps for libraries to help shape an inclusive and sustainable future of the digital economy. Read More
Modern libraries and in particular public libraries have become hubs of economic community growth that offer services and resources that help people access education, the workforce and create small businesses. This becomes increasingly relevant as we approach a peak moment in the global transition towards a more digital economy. Governments must recognize the symbiotic relationship that exists between libraries, digital inclusion and economic growth and therefore engage in the drafting of specific legislation accompanied by financial support that is required to bridge the digital divide. The promotion of digital inclusion needs to be a multi-stakeholder process that remains bottom-up in order to be effective and libraries can participate in this process by actively engaging with the most affected populations. The potential of libraries needs to be recognized not only in digital cooperation strategies but also as a core part of the community's economic infrastructure. Read More
Building on responses from the library field around the world, we have prepared a draft response to the consultation launched by the United Nations on the Global Digital Compact. We welcome your comments and suggestions on the draft by 29 September. Read More
The IGF will be holding its 10th annual meeting in João Pessoa, Brazil, from 10 to 13 November 2015. The theme of the meetings will be “Evolution of Internet governance: Empowering sustainable development” inspired by the United Nations General Assembly Summit 2015 on adopting the… Read More