Libraries Networking for National

Development

Isidro Fernandez-AballiAdviser on Communication and Information for the CaribbeanUNESCOi.fernandez-aballi@unesco.org

. National Library of Jamaica

23 November 2007

IgnorancePoverty

MarginalizationExclusion

KnowledgeProsperityGlobalizationInclusion

N

S

1. SOCIAL DIVIDE2. KNOWLEDGE DIVIDE3. DIGITAL DIVIDE

Divide World

WORLD “C”

60%Nada

WORLD “B”

26%

TELÉFONO

S

WORLD “A”

14% INTERNET

Digital WorldMcLuhan Digital Village

CONSORTIUM

NETWORKS

Digital Libraries and Digital Repositories

Over twenty-five years ago, a panel of First-World meteorologists diagnosed global warming (Kolbert).

The increase in average temperatures, causing major glaciers to shrink and ocean levels to rise, is no longer a speculative model positioned far in the future, but a fact of present-day reality

World Digital Memory : 93%

Denying or refusing to accept such bad news will surely not fend off the consequences.

In a world where disaster hazards of all kinds seem to loom increasingly, we must value and provide special care for humankind’s documentary heritage, whether in letters, images, or zeroes and ones.

DIGITAL DEATH

UNESCO: focus on content

Enhanced UNESCO’s relevancein the information society

“Promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”

“Maintain, increase and spread knowledge”

UNESCO´s Mandate

About Knowledge Societies

Human Needs and Rights

Knowledge Societies

Pluralism

Human Needs and RightsHuman Needs and Rights

Knowledge SocietiesKnowledge Societies

PluralismEducation

Knowledge

Creation Dissemination UtilizationPreservation

Knowledge Knowledge Knowledge

1. Freedom of expression2. Universal access to information and

knowledge 3. Cultural and linguistic diversity, and 4. Quality education for all

About Knowledge Societies

KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY BASIC PRINCIPLES

Freedom of ExpressionRespect for Article 19 of UDHR, freedom of the press, freedom of speech on the Internet

Universal access to information and knowledge Infrastructure and connectivity; affordability; information literacy; know-how for use and development; education; free flow of information; public domain

Principles of Knowledge Societies

Cultural and linguistic diversityUnderstanding and respect for other cultures; plurality and diversity of content and languages; importance of locally relevant content

Quality education for allAccess to education as a fundamental right; education as a tool for combating illiteracy, marginalization, poverty and exclusion

Principles of Knowledge Societies

Living information

Building Knowledge Societies

Mandate and functions of UNESCO’s

IFAP Information for All Programme

Information for All Programme (IFAP):

Established in 2001Successor of General Information Programme

(PGI) & Intergovernmental Informatics Proramme (IIP)

Sister to Intergovernmental Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)

One of UNESCO’s 11 «intergovernmental programmes»

Uniqueness and influence of intergovernmental nature integrated by 26 Member States

Expert body Potential influence at national level using

local networks

Mandate and functions IFAP and Knowledge Societies

IFAP exists to be an advocate for all people on the wrong side of the information divide, whether they be in developed or developing countries. Of special concern are the needs of women, youth and the elderly, as well as persons with disabilities.

IFAP and Knowledge Societies

Intergovernmental CouncilFunction: guidance its planning

and implementationTwenty-six Member States of

UNESCO, elected by General Conference

Bi-annual meetingsBureau (1 President, 3 Vice-presidents, 3

Members, 1 Rapporteur)

Secretariat UNESCO, Information Society Division

Administrative Structure

Member States elected from 34st to end of 36nd session of the General Conference (2007-2011):

Member States elected from 33rd to end of 35th session of the General Conference (2005-2009):

Austria

France

Israel

Brazil

Grenada

Venezuela

DPR Korea

Indonesia

Thailand

Viet Nam

Kenya

Nigeria

Côte D’Ivoire

Libya

Canada Germany Czech Republic Hungary Poland Jamaica China Malaysia Congo Ethiopia United Republic of Tanzania Egypt Sudan

promote international reflection and debate on the ethical, legal and societal challenges of the information society;

promote and widen access to information in the public domain through the organization, digitization and preservation of information;

support training, continuing education and lifelong learning in the fields of communication, information and informatics;

support the production of local content and foster the availability of indigenous knowledge through basic literacy and ICT literacy training;

promote the use of international standards and best practices in communication, information and informatics in UNESCO's fields of competence; and

promote information and knowledge networking at local, national, regional and international levels.

IFAP objectives

Establishing a framework for international co-operation and partnerships

Facilitating reflection and debate (Think tank function, upstream work)

Developing standards, methods and tools Creation IFAP National CommitteesPromoting networksActing as a Clearing House Initiating pilot projects

IFAP Methods & Tools

Support production of local contentFoster availability of indigenous knowledge

through basic literacy and information literacy training;

Promote use of international standards and best practices in communication, information and informatics

Promote information and knowledge networking at all levels

IFAP Actions

Area 1:Developing international,regional and nationalinformation policies

Area 4:

Developing informationprocessing and management tools and

systems

Area 5:Information technology for education, science, culture and communication

Area 2:Developing human resources and capabilities for the information age

Area 3:Strengthening institutions as gateways for information access

IFAP Areas of Action

www.unesco.org/webworld/ifap

CI OFFICES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

BUILDING THE KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION SOCIETY IN THE CARIBBEAN DIVISION FOR

COMMUNICATION &INFORMATION

UNESCO OFFICE FORTHE CARIBBEAN

1. Promoting an enabling environment for freedom of expression and freedom of information

2. Fostering universal access to information and the development of infostructures

3. Promoting the development of free, independent and pluralistic media and community participation in sustainable development through community media

4. Strengthening the role of communication and information in fostering mutual understanding, peace and reconciliation, particularly in open and post-conflict areas Information Literacy

Four Main Line of Action

Promoting an enabling environment for freedom of expression and freedom of information

WPFD 2008 Launching of Caribbean Media Summit on the " Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME)"

WPFD 2009 Caribbean Media Summit: "Toward Harmonising Freedom of the Press and Broadcasting Legislation in the Caribbean"

Fostering universal access to information and the development of infostructures Strategic alliance with ECLAC and ITU to follow up WSIS Action Plan,

prepared by ECLAC, ELAC 2010 and strengthen INFOLAC participation in the process.

Identification, preservation and access of Latin American and the Caribbean heritage collections in the framework of MOW programme.

Promoting Caribbean information, preservation and access initiatives (Caribbean Digital Library Initiative, Caribbean e-Librarian Iniitiative and Caribbean IFAP National Committees)

Production and distribution of INFOLAC's quarterly journal (volumes 21 and 22 ) and INFOLAC/MOWLAC website (http://infolac.ucol.mx)

Promoting the development of free, independent and pluralistic media and community participation in sustainable development through community media Strengthening of the Caribbean Network of Media/ Information Literacy

Clubs Strengthening of the Caribbean Internet Radio Portal (CIRP)

Strengthening of the Caribbean Network of Young Journalists dealing with specific sustainable development areas.

Promoting values of free, independent and pluralistic media and community participation for development among Latin America and the Caribbean young people by improving Caribbean participation in the Youth Portals (www.joveneslac.org and www.youthlac.org)

Promoting the adaptation of Model Journalism Curricula in Caribbean institutions.

Strengthening the role of communication and information in fostering mutual understanding, peace and reconciliation, particularly in open and post-conflict areas

Behaviour Change Communication for Crime Mitigation through Community Mulitmedia Centres.

Promoting Preservation of Caribbean Indigenous and Endangered Languages

Support to set up information literacy clubs in schools and facilitate the participation of students from Jamaica in the Caribbean Network of Information Literacy Clubs

Creation of the Caribbean Internet Radio Portal (CIRP) with ROOTS FM and Container Project in Jamaica playing lead roles;

SOME ON-GOING PROJECTS IN JAMAICA

Prison Radio Network Setting up of to facilitate prisoner rehabilitation and promote reintegration

into society in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services (Ministry of Security). This is being done for the First time in the Caribbean. Results when completed: 200 Inmates and officers trained in broadcasting and communications and

related multimedia skills; Improved morale, as a significant part of the inmate population will be engaged

on a daily basis in something meaningful and positive; DCS monthly newspaper established and articles produced and published; A Guide on the use of mass media for rehabilitation in correctional facilities of

the Caribbean; Training manual (CD or on Internet) on community broadcasting, tailored to

penal communities; This manual can be used to share the experiences with other institutions within and outside Jamaica; local content developed (radio programmes and digital stories)

National Workshop on ICT in Education ToolkitIn collaboration with the Ministries of

Education and Technology; This will be linked to the EduVision 2007, 3rd International Conference on Teacher Education and Technology, December 4-7 2007;

Strengthen of the Caribbean Indigenous and Endangered Language Website in collaboration with the Jamaica language Unit of the

University of the West Indies; Authoritative documentation of 28 indigenous and

endangered languages; Increased awareness of and importance of preserving

Caribbean indigenous languages;Over 30 Caribbean indigenous communities benefiting

from access to information on other indigenous languages; Website: Caribbean Indigenous Languages

Strengthening of networking among media professionals through the development of an online Caribbean Media and Communication

Resource Centre (CARIMAC.COM). An online resource centre and clearing house for owners, managers

and practitioners in the Caribbean media and communication industry.

Development of a comprehensive Caribbean Media Directory (CMD)

The online resource centre will include: an online trade journal; searchable, dynamic database of media and communication companies; training modules (in audio, video and print formats); online access to CARIMAC research and instructional materials; a repository of relevant research papers and policy documents, including conference papers, reports and industry presentations, codes of conduct, relevant legislation

Examples of some results achieved

4 Caribbean inscriptions on the International Memory of the World (MOW) Register

DEREK WALCOTT

CLR JAMES

ERIC WILLIAMS

Barbados - Documentary Heritage of Enslaved Peoples of the Caribbean

25. Book in print in English and

Spanish

26. MITIGATING DISASTER. A Strategic Guide to Risk Management in Heritage Collections.

• Book and CD Rom in

English and Spanish