Newsroom

IFLA Input to 2019 WSIS Review

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!

Don’t Stop Half Way: IFLA Submits Input to 2018 Review of WSIS Progress

IFLA has answered the UN’s call for contributions on progress towards WSIS Action Lines and Targets. This process makes connecting all libraries to the internet a key priority. IFLA’s response highlights welcome recognition of the potential of libraries, but also worrying legal trends.

IFLA at Mozfest, London 2018

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.

IFLA Provides Input on the Challenges to the Right of Privacy in the Digital Age

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights invited stakeholders to provide input on human rights challenges relating to the right to privacy in the digital age. Read IFLA's contribution to this fundamental topic.

Stay Safe Online? Go to your Library! IFLA Celebrates Safer Internet Day 2018

Libraries guarantees people access to knowledge through literacy, innovation and creativity. Through the work of libraries, users young and old are empowered to discover, better their lives and stay safe online. They guarantee a strong and democratic society and they enable an open and informed citizenry.

Libraries, Media and Information Literacy Only Sustainable Response to Fake News

Faced with growing concerns over fake news, the European Union launched a consultation on fake news, and how to fight it in November 2017. IFLA has responded, underlining that the only sustainable response is a literate, critical population. Libraries are essential in delivering this, and should be supported to do so.

IFLA at the Internet Governance Forum 2017

IFLA participated in the 2017 Internet Governance Forum (IGF), held in Geneva. The IGF is a global multi stakeholder platform that facilitates the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet. It is, in fact, a venue for exploring questions around the role of the Internet and our digital future in an inclusive and democratic manner. The theme of the 2017 edition was “Shape your Digital Future”.

No Access, No Development: IFLA Calls for an End to Internet Shutdowns in Cameroon

On 22 December 2017, the IFLA Executive Committee approved a statement on the ongoing Internet shutdown in Cameroon.

IFLA at Mozfest

Our participation to Mozfest was a blast. We met new people and learned a lot from them. Read about the experience and learn the new web literacy tools Mozilla made available to all.

Real Solutions to Fake News: How Libraries Help

Freedoms of access to information and expression online are at risk. The spread of deliberately misleading information risks undermining confidence in the Internet, while heavy-handed reactions from authorities and platforms limit fundamental human rights.

Connectivity and Beyond: Libraries Help Build an Inclusive Internet

The Internet has already made a very significant contribution to providing access to information, a long-standing goal of libraries. With four billion already connected, more people can access more knowledge, more easily, than ever before. At a meeting in Washington IFLA highlighted the role of libraries not only in bringing the rest of the world online, but also in empowering people to make the most of the Internet.

CNN broadcasts How To Spot Fake News infographic

This morning, CNN International picked up on IFLA’s infographic and broadcasted it in a Christiane Amanpour coverage of the Ukrainian news channel fighting fake news.

How To Spot Fake News - IFLA in the post-truth society

Discussions about fake news has led to a new focus on media literacy more broadly, and the role of libraries and other education institutions in providing this.

Connecting and Enabling the Next Billion(s) – Libraries Important Partners in Internet Governance

Presenting the IFLA Wikipedia Opportunities Papers

Over the past year, Librarians and Wikipedians have been working together to showcase the many successful collaborations between libraries and Wikipedia. Starting with the first Wikipedia #1lib1ref campaign, we developed Opportunities papers which highlight the many ways libraries and Wikipedia are already engaging to verify information and make it accessible.

Internet Governance Forum 2016 Library Diary: Day 4

The last day of IGF 2016 combined the advocating for public access with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. IFLA's three leaders give a first-hand account of their IGF experience.

Internet Governance Forum 2016 Library Diary: Day 3

On the third day of the Internet Governance Forum the IFLA delegates participated in sessions about the right to be forgotten, mass surveillance, and human rights.

Internet Governance Forum 2016 Library Diary: Day 2

This was the day for our main session for the Dynamic Coalition for Public Access in Libraries, co-organized by IFLA and EIFL. People from different sectors came to talk about how to ensure public access to the Internet, including Vint Cerf from Google and Carolina Rossini from Facebook. In the auditorium we also had people from Wikipedia and from the Internet tech and policy community, and we discussed participation in national and regional forums.

Internet Governance Forum 2016 Library Diary: Day 1

December 6 was the official first day of the Internet Governance Forum in Guadalajara. We participated in the session on Assessing the Role of Internet Governance in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the lightning talk on Finding the Balance: Access to Knowledge and Culture Online which was organised by IFLA.

Internet Governance Forum 2016 Library Diary: Day 0

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Guadalajara takes place on 6-9 December 2016. IFLA will be focusing on promoting the Principles on Public Access in Libraries, which includes infrastructure, policy, copyright, accessibility, privacy, skills development, open access and local content.