Now available: IFLA Principles for Responding to Conflict

Since 2012, IFLA has worked with its Principles of Engagement for library-related activities in times of crisis, conflict or disaster. The specific aim of these principles is to encourage safeguarding and respect for cultural property and strengthen cooperation in cultural heritage activities through UNESCO, other organisations and initiatives.

At the IFLA 2022 General Assembly, members asked IFLA to formulate a set of principles on how to respond to war and conflict which has now been addressed by the Governing Board. This followed input from the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, and from a number of committees engaged in the Advisory Committee on Cultural Heritage.

In February 2023, the Governing Board endorsed the IFLA Principles for Responding to Conflict. The Principles are based on IFLA’s values and set out a basis for determining how IFLA should react to situations of civil or military conflict, in any part of the world, which impact on libraries.

Unfortunately, conflict remains a regular feature of human life and affects all geographies. The Principles reflect considerations to be kept in mind when developing IFLA’s responses in the future.

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