By Matthew Baker, 27 March 2006

Representatives of government, national libraries and archives, universities and other research institutions from across Africa gathered this morning for the opening of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Follow-up Conference on Access to Information and Knowledge for Development. At the opening sessions of the Conference, participants recommended that Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Unesco and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) come up with a model on putting in place proper legislation for libraries at the national level, including setting up a working group to study this issue.
On behalf of Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, Officer-in-charge of the Development Information Services Division, Ms. Petrina G. Amonoo, Chief Librarian, ECA Library welcomed participants to the Conference and to Addis Ababa, and delivered a statement which set the tone for the meeting. The OIC said that the event is being held because libraries are at the heart of the Information Society and also play a fundamental role in our society. Therefore, public institutions such as libraries and archives, museums, cultural collections and other community-based access points should be strengthened not only to promote the preservation of documentary records but also for free and equitable access to information.

In her opening remarks, Ms Kay Raseroka, University Librarian, University of Botswana and Immediate Past President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) said that while the Conference is laying the foundations for an action framework, the follow-up will be concluded by future generations. She stressed the point that librarians need to look beyond the sector and speak to decision-makers in the countries to make a real impact, adding that: “we need to talk outside the library to share who we are, what we do and why”. Additionally, Ms Jane Wu, Chairperson, IFLA-GIOPS/Chief Librarian, Food and Agricultural Organization, Rome said the Conference was the “fulfilment of a dream” of holding such an event in Africa. Discussions on holding such an event began at a time when we did not know about WSIS, and thus did not have the framework to discuss these issues as we do today.

The Conference, which runs from 27-30 March 2006, has gathered over 50 participants with the goal of developing and agreeing upon an Action Framework which will serve as a blueprint towards implementing the recommendations of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) on the continent.

The ECA is hosting the Conference in collaboration with the IFLA Government and Official Publications Section (GIOPS) and Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE). The Conference will be divided into two sessions: the first, the workshop on Building African Capacity to Implement the Outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in the Spheres of Libraries and Access to Information and Knowledge, will run from 27-28 March; the second, the International Seminar on the Strategic Management and Democratic Use of Government Information in Africa, will run from 29-30 March.

WSIS gathered tens of thousands of representatives from government, Civil Society, the private sector, international organizations, and other stakeholders interested in the development of an inclusive Information Society which maximizes the potential of all information sectors. The Summit was held in two phases – the first in Geneva from 10-12 December 2003 and the second in Tunis from 16-18 November 2005.