IFLA will be active at the concluding event of the WSIS+20 process, held in the context of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Our arguments will focus on the need for local infrastructures like libraries to ensure meaningful digital inclusion.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process started 22 years ago, leading to the conclusion of a set of Action lines in 2005, built around the goal of a people-centred internet.

WSIS stands out for its drive to make connections between questions around internet governance and wider development agendas, with action lines addressing questions around culture, education, science and more.

Importantly, the Action Lines also recognise the importance of connecting libraries, alongside schools, hospitals and post offices, both so that they can better fulfil their existing missions, but also serve as key local digital infrastructures.

Ongoing relevance

Twenty years on, the share of the world’s population who are using the internet has grown hugely, and is arguably one of the biggest development success stories around. At the same time, it is also clear that simply being connected to the internet is not enough on its own to enable progress towards development goals.

Connectivity alone does not mean that people have the skills or confidence necessary to make the most of the internet, or have access to relevant content and services. The right of access to knowledge is also too often not a reality. As a result, the potential of information to drive sustainable and inclusive development is not being realised.

Libraries can play a major role in correcting this. As open and welcoming centres for all, providing a safe and supportive environment for going online, as well as help in accessing relevant information, they offer a unique combination of strengths.

They have a particular role in supporting efforts around information integrity, both through their place in the broader scholarly communication ecosystem, and through building curiosity and skills in the wider population.

Working alongside partners, such as post offices, we can go further still in making a positive difference.

Reaffirming what matters

The WSIS+20 High-Level Meeting at the United Nations General Assembly will provide an opportunity to underline this contribution, and encourage approaches in law and practice that enable and mobilise libraries.

In the run up to this, we have worked to shape the Declaration from the event, and have welcomed its reference to libraries, as well as the importance of digital skills, science and innovation, and local initiatives.

On the days of the meeting, IFLA will be organising a side event alongside the American Library Association’s Sub-Committee on the SDGs and the UNESCO Information for All Programme, and speaking both in plenary and at a dedicated side-event on information integrity.

IFLA will be represented by GB members Loida Garcia Febo and Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe, as well as Damilare Oyedele.

Look out for news about our participation on our website!