Newsroom

Libraries Recognised among Essential Partners in Historic Declaration on Culture-based Climate Action

Building momentum towards a culture goal - IFLA at the UCLG Culture Summit 2023

Local governments are not just a key stakeholder for many libraries, but also a key ally in making the case for a stronger recognition of the role of culture, cultural institutions and cultural actors in advancing sustainable development. We were therefore very happy to join United Cities and Local Governments' Culture Summit, focused on building recognition of this role, and to sign a memorandum of understanding allowing us to take this work further. 

Libraries: a key infrastructure for adult learning and education

IFLA participated at the 2023 World Assembly on Adult Education, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of our sister organisation, the International Council for Adult Education. Engaging with professionals and activists from around the world, we underlined the ability and readiness of libraries to realise their potential to make a reality of learning for all.

Libraries as Pillars of Information Integrity: Event Report Released

The world is waking up to the importance of information integrity as a precondition for success in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. Fortunately, libraries have long not just understood the need for reliable, verifiable and accurate information, but have delivered it. They can contribute much to any future policy framework here.

Updates from COP28: Get involved in library climate advocacy

IFLA is excited to invite colleagues from the library and museum fields, as well as from the Permanent Delegation of the UAE to UNESCO, to join us in a discussion at the Greening Education Hub. We will explore how cultural actors help implement lifelong greening community strategies, and integrate these perspectives into the work programme of the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership.

COP28 Call to Action: Culture at the Heart of Climate Action

As a founding member of the Climate Heritage Network, IFLA is excited to join in supporting a call to action for culture at COP28 – and we invite you to join as well!

Culture2030Goal campaign welcomes statements in favour of culture's role in development

The Culture2030Goal campaign, of which IFLA is a founding member, has welcomed recent statements by UN Member States, the G20, the BRICS and ministers of the European Union which underline the role of culture in development, and point towards the need for a dedicated culture goal in future.

IFLA and Libraries Featured in COP28 Action for Climate Empowerment Activity Report

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai this December. During the conference, the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will meet to discuss progress towards implementing the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

Get Involved in UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2023: MIL in digital spaces

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, firmly believes that media and information literacy (MIL) is a key skill for today’s world. In the face of a seemingly endless amount of information, and with growing threats from mis- and disinformation, the need to build MIL competencies is greater than ever.

Recognising the potential: IFLA at the SDG Action Weekend

Libraries have a great story to tell of making a difference to development across the policy agenda. As our engagement at the SDG Action Weekend showed, this story is becoming better known at the United Nations among those working on sustainable development. Next step: new partnerships and impact.

Time to realise libraries' potential to support development: IFLA and the UN SDG Summit

While the evidence is clear that libraries' contribution to sustainable development is as broad as it is deep, it is also too often unrealised. IFLA will be participating at the Sustainable Development Goals Action Weekend in order to change perceptions and attitudes, and secure a stronger place for our profession. 

Libraries as Catalysts for Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Africa

At the 5th African Youth SDGs Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, libraries were actively present through participation in major sessions to share evidence of libraries' work in contributing to the SDGs.

Libraries Empowering Climate Action: Ideas generated during WLIC 2023 Climate Session

IFLA challenged delegates at the 88th World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) to think boldly about their role in tackling the climate emergency in the open session: How Can Libraries Accelerate Climate Empowerment?

SDGs@WLIC: find out more and get involved!

Sustainability and sustainable development are high on the agenda at this year’s World Library and Information Congress. Across our programme, there are plenty of sessions which offer different perspectives on what this means for libraires, and how we can get involved.

Library SDG Pledge - Sign up now!

We are welcoming signatures from library and information workers, institutions and associations around the world for the Library SDG Pledge, an opportunity to demonstrate to leaders and partners our commitment to supporting efforts to transform our world. 

Libraries, information and culture catalysing development: UN High-Level Political Forum 2023

Libraries were on show at the UN High-Level Political Forum 2023, with representatives from every continent underlining both the reach and depth of our contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

How well does culture feature in 2023 Voluntary National Reviews of SDG implementation?

The Culture 2030 Goal campaign has released its review of the place of culture in the reports released by national governments about how they are working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. As well as highlighting the different dimensions of culture's contribution, it underlines both the need - and the feasibility - of an explicit culture goal.

A sustainable development snapshot - latest IFLA work

With a focus on the 2023 High Level Political Forum, IFLA has developed a range of materials that, we hope, will not only offer useful insights to colleagues around the world, but also tools that can help you in your advocacy.

Meet Team Libraries at the UN High-Level Political Forum on the SDGs 2023 (Part 3)

In the last of our series, find out what IFLA's representatives at the 2023 High Level Political Forum are looking to achieve, for libraries and their users, nationally and globally.

Meet Team Libraries at the UN High-Level Political Forum on the SDGs 2023 (Part 2)

To help you get to know the experience and perspectives of the librarians attending this year's High-Level Political Forum, we're sharing their answers to a short set of questions. In this article - the second of three - we find out what their message is to the wider development community around how libraries can contribute to achieving the SDGs.