IFLA Global Vision: Latin America and the Caribbean share their ideas for action

​​

What a start! The first 2018 IFLA Global Vision Regional Workshop began this week in the Biblioteca del Congreso de Chile in Santiago, Chile and what a fantastic opening to our world tour it was.

Two days of vibrant discussions, networking, fun, and excitement ensued as the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region came together to create actions for the future.

On the way to a strong and united library field

IFLA President Glòria Pérez-Salmerón lead the workshop with infectious energy and the spirit of collaboration amongst the 30 countries attending burnt brightly, setting our Global Vision well on the way to creating the biggest idea store for action for a strong and united library field powering literate, informed and participative societies. 

A milestone for libraries

Director of Biblioteca del Congreso de Chile, Manuel Alfonso Pérez Guíñez welcomed every participant, declaring it an honour to have them in his country:

The IFLA Global Vision is a milestone for all libraries to face the challenges of a changing society. We wish you all the success in this workshop and in this next phase of the Global Vision discussion.”

Finishing his speech, he said rousingly:

There are much more things that unite us than separate us.”

And how true that is! A global initiative attracts a harmony of voices from many languages. Far from being barriers, they create bilingual songs, and this is what the Global Vision tour is producing – our own bilingual library song.

Debates, ideas, and stories flowed over the following two days as delegates shared their thoughts visually and verbally. Some truly creative work was achieved!

A fantastic start

It was a proud moment for everyone in the room as IFLA Secretary General Gerald Leitner praised LAC for a fantastic start to the Global Vision Regional Meetings, saying: 

You have set a great example for all other colleagues in the world. I’m very proud of everything you’ve done here.”

The Global Vision now heads to North America for the second Regional Workshop on 16 and 17 April at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa where more great ideas will be created and added to our ideas store for actions!

View all photos from the LAC Regional Workshop in our Flickr album.