Stay up to date with our latest developments, initiatives, and new resources!
IFLA has responded to a call for inputs, issued by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, about the human rights impacts of measures against disinformation.
Following reports of internet shutdowns and other restrictions on access to information in Myanmar, IFLA's President and Secretary General have issued the below statement.
IFLA has responded to a consultation by the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, highlighting the value of a focus on access to information as a driver of success in the Sustainable Development Goals.
The past year saw important developments in both the human rights and internet governance fields, with consequences for the work of libraries around the world. We look ahead to how IFLA plans to engage in the human rights and internet governance fields in 2021 – and how you can get involved!
A commitment to promoting access to information is a unifying factor across the global library field. In a changing information space, we interviewed Jonathan Hernández-Pérez to find out more about the concept of infodiversity and how it can help understand trends and developments.
IFLA has published a new statement on the role of library and information services in improving the way societies are governed, both through optimal decision-making within government, and effective scrutiny and engagement by parliaments and wider populations.
To mark Human Rights Day 2020, IFLA has opened a survey seeking views on intellectual freedom developments in recent years, their impact on libraries, and potential revisions to IFLA’s Statement on the subject.
The 2020 IGF – the first to take place in a fully virtual format – has drawn to a close. With over 250 online sessions, many issues that were raised are relevant for the global library sector.
The 2020 Internet Governance Forum – the first one to take place fully online – has just wrapped up its first week. Here is a quick look back at some relevant discussions – and engagement ideas for the coming days!
Between 2 and 17 November, the first fully-virtual Internet Governance Forum will bring together stakeholders from around the globe. IFLA continues to engage – and encourages libraries to take part in – discussions on how the internet works and should be governed in many areas that impact the library field. From digital inclusion to privacy, access to content, accessibility, digital skills and beyond – there are many relevant discussions worth engaging in.
Over the past months, IFLA, FAIFE and our partners in different countries around the world have prepared a series of submissions to the Universal Periodic Review processes organised by the Human Rights Council. This month, we had an opportunity to take an in-depth look at how libraries in Belgium help deliver on the human rights of the communities they serve.
A coalition of organisations representing libraries and technologists has called on governments and decision-makers to ensure that every community is connected, and, through libraries, has access to the content and skills needed to enjoy the benefits that the internet can bring.
IFLA is proud to sign up to two documents addressing a key issue of our time – the digital divide. The first calls on governments to act to support investment in wider connectivity and the libraries that help users make the most of it. The second represents a pledge to do all in our power to promote digital inclusion, and is open to wider signatures.
Libraries have a traditional and longstanding commitment to defending the privacy of their users. As institutions that come into contact with children and teens’ data in the course of their everyday work, libraries have developed good practices on how to keep this data private and confidential – and to help their young audiences develop the skills to stay safe and maintain their privacy online.
The European Commission has launched its long-awaited consultation on the Digital Services Act (DSA) which will develop new rules for internet platforms. These rules will potentially set new standards for government regulation online and, therefore, have a global impact on all digital stakeholders, including the library field.
IFLA has submitted a response to the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights call for inputs on women and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights. Libraries around the world are working to raise awareness and knowledge about women’s SRHR, helping deliver on their fundamental rights to health and access to information.
The 2020 European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) took place online on June 11-12. IFLA joined the conference to get more insights on what recent trends in European internet policy and governance could be relevant and interesting for the library field.
The long-standing mission of libraries to promote equitable access to information often leads them to get involved in digital inclusion efforts. We talked to Catharina Isberg, IFLA Governing Board Member and Library Director, Helsingborg City Libraries and Eva Hveem, Librarian, to find out about their experience of working with a European Union programme on the subject.
Ensuring equitable access to information and knowledge lies at the heart of the library mission. As part of this goal, many libraries offer public internet access and workstations. And yet, there are still areas where many people do not have an opportunity to get online. Community networks - local community-led initiatives to build and maintain a telecommunications infrastructure – are emerging as an alternative model to help connect the unconnected. How do such Community Network projects relate to libraries’ mission, what can libraries do to support these initiatives?