Stage 1 complete! IFLA’s Global Vision Discussion reaches 140 countries across six regions. Now it’s your turn!
20 July 2017
The Hague, 20 July 2017—
The worldwide response to International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)‘s Global Vision Discussion, a venture which will generate a united library field and a roadmap for the future, has been nothing short of remarkable.
A staggering 179 librarians from 140 countries not only engaged in the discussions, but also embraced the unifying ethos behind the campaign by sharing words of encouragement to the next region waiting to pick up the baton. Asia and Oceania, buoyed by their Global Vision experience, cheered on Europe as they eagerly awaited their turn, by saying:
Connect with Asia Oceania! It is an opportunity for you to work with us and an opportunity for us to work with Europe…It was an eye-opening experience. Madrid, be open, be engaged, and be brave! Get involved with workshop organisers and see the positive results!”
The IFLA Global Vision Regional workshops have focused on how to strengthen the ties within the library field and respond to the fast-pacing globalisation that is opening new opportunities and challenges. From the very first kick-off meeting in Athens this Spring, each workshop has contributed its own droplet into an ever-increasing river of ideas.
For participants, the inclusive approach to these opportunities and challenges allows for every voice to be heard and during Africa’s regional workshop the Global Vision discussion was summed up perfectly:
Everybody is connected. No one is excluded. If we don’t have connections and networks, we cannot achieve anything.”
IFLA’s Secretary General, Gerald Leitner, who has guided all the IFLA Regional Workshops, said:
Since IFLA launched the Global Vision Discussion I have been delighted at the response from library professionals from all over the world to get involved and discuss how the library field can become stronger and more connected to tackle the challenges of globalisation.
The workshops were just the beginning. Now, the Global Vision movement reaches out to everyone. We want discussions taking place in all countries, all communities and all libraries so that every voice can be heard.”
As momentum builds, IFLA wants to hear from every library in every country as to what they believe are the most important opportunities and challenges of the future. There are several easy ways to get involved and already self-facilitated Global Vision workshops are taking place using IFLA’s downloadable templates. And what’s more, an online voting platform will launch on Monday 21 August during this year's IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in Wrocław. Never has there been so many avenues to share views and unite the entire library field!
Visit globalvision.ifla.org to find out how you can take part in the discussion.
See our Flickr collection for workshop photos.
About IFLA
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. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. Founded in 1927 in Edinburgh, Scotland at an international conference, we celebrate our 90th birthday in 2017. We now have more than 1,400 Members in over 140 countries around the world. IFLA was registered in the Netherlands in 1971. The Royal Library, the national library of the Netherlands, in The Hague, generously provides the facilities for our headquarters.
About the IFLA Global Vision
IFLA is facilitating a Global Vision discussion through a series of high-level meetings and workshops in different parts of the world following our kick-off event in Athens, Greece on 4 April 2017. Face-to-face and online, future-oriented conversations will be taking place throughout the year. See the Global Vision discussion website: globalvision.ifla.org for more details, and join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the #iflaGlobalVision hashtag.
Together we create the future: Join us!