Newsroom

Libraries at the heart of a UNESCO Learning City: An interview with the city of São Filipe, Cabo Verde

UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize – Call for Expressions of Interest

IFLA Celebrates the New UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education as a Win for Library Advocacy

IFLA joins Culture2030Goal colleagues in calling for culture to feature in the Pact for the Future

IFLA was proud to join colleagues in the Culture2030Goal campaign in submitting proposals for improving the zero draft for the Pact for the Future, with a view to ensuring that it seizes the opportunity to mobilise culture to deliver on the United Nations' goals.

Centring libraries in driving urban development through books – IFLA at the World Book Capital City Network Meeting, Guadalajara

IFLA’s participation at the 2024 meeting of the World Book Capital Network provided an opportunity to highlight the need to more to mobilise libraries for urban development, and to gather and share lessons that can help cities everywhere build stronger communities through books and reading.

Get Involved with Cultural Policy and Advocacy in 2024

IFLA joins presentation of plans for World Book Capital 2024 in Strasbourg

With a strong basis in the work of the cities libraries and librarians, the recently published programme for Strasbourg as World Book Capital City from 23 April 2023 is an exciting one, offering much not just to the city’s residents, but also to others interested in promoting books and reading locally.

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. 

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.

Appeal for Respect for Human Rights, Cultural Conventions in Gaza and Israel

Calling for immediate humanitarian aid is of the highest priority. We implore all parties to uphold respect for human rights and dignity, in line with international law, and find a pathway to peace.

The Future of Openness: IFLA at the Creative Commons Global Summit and what it means for libraries

FLA was excited to attend and contribute to Creative Commons’s conversation on the future of openness. The open movement provides opportunities for libraries to engage with and serve their users, as well as reach new users. Read on for some key take-aways from the programme, and what they may mean for library advocacy going forward.

Rio named as World Book Capital 2025

IFLA is happy to congratulate Rio de Janeiro on being awarded the title of World Book Capital City 2025, following a decision of the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay. We look forward to working with Brazilian colleagues in order to ensure this highlights and strengthens libraries.

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.

Get Involved with UNESCO Memory of the World: 2024-2025 Call for Nominations

Documentary heritage transmits an understanding of social, political, collective, and personal history. It offers more than a glimpse into the past –  it transmits memory, knowledge, perspective, stories, and testimonies that are relevant to our world today.

An introduction to the Culture2030Goal campaign

We are happy to share the recording of our webinar explaining the work and missions of the Culture2030Goal campaign. 

IFLA Expresses Concern for Sudan, Urges an End to Library Destruction and Looting

The people of Sudan face an increasingly perilous situation following the outbreak of civil armed conflict in April 2023. Our primary concerns are humanitarian, and we call for solidarity with the people of Sudan, including its library and information workers – those still in the country and those who have been forced to flee.

IFLA Takes a Leading Role at the 4th Civil Society Forum on the 2005 Convention

On 5 June, civil society organisations came together online and in person at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, for the fourth edition of the Civil Society Forum of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of a Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005 Convention).