by Prof. Tess Tobin
Half of the world’s population lacks access to information online. As trusted established networks, libraries are in the position to offset this information gap. Libraries can work across regional and cultural barriers to empower communities to become better informed and understand data that is critical to sustainable development.
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) launched The Lyon Declaration of Access to Information and Development at its 2014 World Library and Information Congress in Lyon, France. Endorsed by more than 500 library associations, and institutions, the Lyon Declaration affirms that increasing access to information and knowledge across society, assisted by the availability of information and communications technologies (ICTs), supports sustainable development and improves people’s lives. [i]
Sustainable development goals (SDGs) are targets the United Nation’s (UN) Member States set to frame their agenda and political policies over a 15 year period. Looking at its 2001 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the UN began in early 2015 to set the next agenda for sustainable development. With the Lyon Declaration in hand, IFLA’s current President Donna Scheeder, IFLA Board Member Loida Garcia Febo and IFLA Director of Policy and Advocacy, Stuart Hamilton positioned themselves well in the UN sessions, and when given the opportunity to speak, emphasized how access to information enables people to make informed decisions that can improve their lives. Their voices were heard and the Post 2015 Sustainable Development framework recognizes the role of access to information as a fundamental element supporting development. Here is where it is documented:
Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements [ii]
Advocacy is defined as the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. The inclusion of access to information in the framework was a major step, however, a lot of work still remains to implement these goals. During my last two-year term as Chair of Library Services to Multicultural Populations (LSMP), I became very involved in efforts to inform librarians and library supporters on the importance of the Post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals, communicating how strategic libraries are in helping people to develop the skills to effectively understand, use and share information necessary to be engaged in the discussions and police making of the their communities. These goals are universal and all libraries in developed and developing countries can be instrumental in reaching these efforts.
Libraries further development by helping people get the information they need to access economic opportunities, improve their health or develop their communities. LSMP has a strong connection to the Lyon Declaration in that its core action is to advocate for library and information services for the linguistically and culturally underserved and to work with stakeholders to make sure that each individual in our global society has the right to a full range of library and information services. These principles are found in its major multilingual publications:
- Multicultural Communities: Guidelines for Library Services, 3rd Ed.
- IFLA/UNESCO Multicultural Library Manifesto
- Multicultural Library Manifesto Toolkit
Here are some resources to help libraries and library supporters learn more about sustainable development:
- Beyond Access: Libraries Powering Development (IREX)
- How Libraries Can Connect the Next Four Billion #next4billion (IREX and IFLA)
- Gigabit Libraries Network (GLN)
- Toolkit: Libraries and the UN post-2015 Development Agenda
- Mobile Information Literacy (University of Washington, USA)
- UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform
- IFLA, Libraries and Development (IFLA)
- Building Strong Library Associations (IFLA)
- Action for Development through Libraries Programme (ALP –IFLA)
- Transforming Our World: The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (UN)
Libraries do make a difference and there are resources for emerging and developed libraries to use the SDGs when seeking partnerships with government, NGO’s and regional agencies interested in closing gaps in access to information.
Tess Tobin
Library Services to Multicultural Populations 2007-2015, Chair 2011-2015
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
[i] The Lyon Declaration of Access to Information and Development
[ii] UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform
