Lyon Declaration On Access to Information and Development launched

 Declaration launched at the World Library and Information Congress in Lyon, France signed by more than 125 organisations aims to positively influence the United Nations post-2015 development agenda

 MEDIA RELEASE

18 August 2014

Access to information, and libraries, play a critical role in supporting development. To advance this position, IFLA has today launched the Lyon Declaration on Access to Information and Development outlining the need for access to information to be recognised in the United Nations post-2015 development framework. The framework will succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and set the agenda for development for the next decade.

The Lyon Declaration calls on Member States of the United Nations to acknowledge that access to information, and the skills to use it effectively, are required for sustainable development, and ensure that this is recognised in the post-2015 development agenda by:

  • Acknowledging the public’s right to access information and data, while respecting the right to individual privacy.
  • Recognising the important role of local authorities, information intermediaries and infrastructure such as ICTs and an open Internet as a means of implementation.
  • Adopting policy, standards and legislation to ensure the continued funding, integrity, preservation and provision of information by governments, and access by people.
  • Developing targets and indicators that enable measurement of the impact of access to information and data and reporting on progress during each year of the goals in a Development and Access to Information (DA2I) report.

More than 125 institutions and associations from within and beyond the library sector, including development agencies, media organisations, gender, ICT and education campaigners have signed pre-launch, already making the Lyon Declaration the most successful campaign of its type that IFLA has ever undertaken.

The Declaration, together with further analysis and research of the post-2015 framework and capacity building will give IFLA members and libraries the tools to advocate for the inclusion of access to information in the final goals, and to be ready to support national governments in implementation of the framework. IFLA will continue to engage with all relevant UN processes, and encourage librarians to meet with Member State representatives at national levels to promote the Lyon Declaration and highlight the role that specific library services, such as government information, literacy, children’s services and ICT can play in supporting development.

IFLA President, Sinikka Sippila said “The Lyon Declaration places IFLA and its partners on a firm footing regarding the post-2015 development agenda, and gives us a platform for advocacy – we want to see the new framework recognise that access to information supports development, and we want opportunities for libraries to help meet targets and deliver goals.”

Following the launch, IFLA will continue to seek signatories over the next year and engage at the United Nations. The Declaration is available at http://www.lyondeclaration.org/

#lyondeclaration #wlic2014


 

IFLA: The trusted global voice of the library and information profession

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. IFLA is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization with over 1400 members in 150 countries.

Guided by our Strategic Plan 2010-2015 and Key Initiatives, we work to improve access to information and cultural heritage resources for the global community in this rapidly changing digital and print environment.

Contact:

Julia Brungs

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

PO BOX 95312

The Hague

The Netherlands

Julia.brungs@ifla.org

Phone:

15 – 21 August 2014 (during WLIC 2014)

+33689053755

After WLIC 2014:

+31703140884