Kai Ekholm Reappointed as Chair of the FAIFE Committee

Kai Ekholm delivering his presentation Access to Knowledge as a Human Right: IFLA’s Position during the 2011 Presidential Meeting

The National Librarian of Finland, Kai Ekholm, has been reappointed by the IFLA Governing Board as Chair of the Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) Committee for the period August 2011 – August 2013.

In acknowledging his reappointment, Ekholm commented "FAIFE has become a strong network of specialists who carry out their work with a big heart and passion. We are witnessing historical change, when freedom of expression will take crucial steps on the Internet. Every fourth person in the planet lives under censorship. There are still many captive societies that will and should break in future. FAIFE is there to point the target, bring information, and train people."

The objective of the IFLA’s FAIFE (Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression) Committee is to enhance the public’s awareness of freedom of speech and expression in library operations. Besides publishing international reports and surveys, the Committee activates discussion in the library world and its immediate surroundings.