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Between 25 and 29 November 2019, IFLA participated in the 14th annual Internet Governance Forum meeting in Berlin. The key messages IFLA emphasised were the importance of policy support for public access in libraries, the role of libraries in enabling meaningful connectivity, and in generating meaningful internet content through digitisation efforts.
Between 25 and 29 November, 2019, IFLA will be taking part in the 14th annual Internet Governance Forum meeting in Berlin. IFLA has participated in IGF events since 2008; and we continue our involvement in policy discussions relevant for the library field: public internet access facilities, digital and information literacy, intellectual freedom in the digital sphere, and many others.
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process is a UN-based initiative to bridge the digital divide, foster an inclusive information society and promote the use of ICT for development. Libraries have an important role to play in achieving these goals, and IFLA has been actively involved with the WSIS process since its first phase in Geneva in 2003. This includes contributing to annual reports to take stock of the progress made towards the WSIS Action Lines and Targets – and the 2019 IFLA submission is now available!
IFLA has worked with FAIFE committee members from Croatia and the United States to prepare submissions for the Universal Periodic Reviews organised by the UN Human Rights Council.
In July 2019, the Council of Europe invited public feedback on its draft recommendation on the human rights impacts of algorithmic systems. IFLA, through its Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Information, has responded, highlighting the issues and priorities of libraries.
The use of technology in education is growing, and a new class of technologies has emerged that relies on tracking and analysing vast amounts of student behavioural data. The position of libraries in educational ecosystems means that they may well, both directly and indirectly, come across this trend. This briefing outlines the key ethical and security concerns for libraries to consider, and suggests some ways for libraries to promote responsible and ethical use of Edtech.
The Mozilla Internet Health Report is an annual publication which brings together information and reflections about key issues facing the internet today. The report therefore offers a great basis for thinking within the library field about issues around the way we access, share and create information.
The UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation report "The Age of Digital Interdependence" outlines key issues and offers recommendations for building an inclusive digital future. Several messages and recommendations the report puts forward are directly relevant for libraries.
The 2019 edition of the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG) took place in The Hague from 19-21 June. This year, IFLA was involved in organising a panel on the European Copyright Reform, and attended a number of sessions and workshops to see how the latest developments in the sphere of internet policies can affect the library field.
IFLA has submitted comments on two sets of plans to boost internet access in Africa, underlining the importance of including libraries. By doing this, governments not only support affordable internet access, but open up possibilities to develop digital skills and give people a safe place to get online.
The European Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market was recently published in the official journal, marking its entry into force and the start of the implementation process. Civil society organizations defending freedom of expression and freedom of access to information online, among which IFLA, have come together to request an inclusive stakeholder dialogue throughout implementation.
IFLA has issued a call for nominations for the Chair of its Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression. Only National Library Associations who have paid their Membership dues for 2018 in full are eligible to nominate. Interested candidates should contact their associations.
Connecting libraries offers a great way of bringing more people online, and providing a space where they can develop the skills and confidence necessary to get the most out of the Internet. The new Public Access Policy Toolkit looks at the different policy areas where libraries may need to advocate to make this happen.
A group of unviersity libraries in the United States have signed up to a new Statement on Patron Privacy and Database Access. IFLA has interviewed Mimi Calter, Deupty University Librarian at Stanford, and Chair of IFLA's Academic and Research Libraries Section, to find out more about the thinking behind the Statement, and what it says.
IFLA, working with the Italian Library Association, has provided input to the Universal Periodic Review of Italy at the Human Rights Council. The submission highlights the importance of access to information and education, as well as the rights of children, people with disabilities, refugees and migrants.
IFLA has prepared an initial response to the consultation launched by the United Nations High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation. This highlights the importance of action for access to information, and the need to involve libraries in discussions about the future of the internet.
The UNESCO-IFLA Public Library Manifesto was last updated and finalised on 29 November 1994. 29 November 2018 therefore marks the start of the Manifesto’s 25th year!
The need to preserve the benefits of an open internet while finding means to address concerns about the way it works was high on the agenda at the 13th Internet Governance Forum, held in Paris from 12-14 November. IFLA was active, underlining how libraries do not only bring connectivity and training, but also essential values and skills to the discussion.
With half the world's population still offline, the need for meaningful solutions to ensure that everyone has the possibility to connect is as high as ever. While traditional commercial provision will have a role, alternatives must also be mobilised, not least libraries. This was the message of an event co-organised by IFLA in the margins of the Internet Governance Forum in Paris on 13 November.
Mozfest is the annual gathering of supporters of a healthy Internet: accessible to all, decentralized, creative and safe. This year there were many interesting talks and events for IFLA to be part of such as those on privacy, digital rights, privacy in oppressive regimes and inclusion and literacy.