International policy statement

We recognise that access to information and sharing and creation of knowledge contributes significantly to strengthening economic, social and cultural development, thus helping all countries to reach the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals (extract from Tunis Commitment produced by 2nd Phase of World Summit on Information Society, Nov 2005).

• Throughout the world, library and information services underpin social, cultural and economic development.
•  Access to information and freedom of expression are fundamental worldwide human rights.
• Library and information services are crucial to achieving access to information and freedom of expression and in fostering literacy, learning and freedom of expression worldwide.
• Library and information services are fundamental to closing the gap between the information rich and poor throughout the world.
• In a global economy operating a virtual knowledge base, well-trained library and information professionals are essential to the global delivery of high quality services.
• CILIP encourages and supports its members to work with colleagues throughout the world, for mutual professional development and the pursuit of global information access.

EVIDENCE BASE

The breadth and depth of international work necessitates a large evidence base when formulating a Policy Statement. The Task & Finish Group suggests that the following are amongst the most important:

• Papers from 2nd Phase of World Summit on the Information Society, Tunis. 2005
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 1948
• United Nations Millennium Development Goals. 2000
• IFLA's "Three Pillars: Society, Members & Profession. 2004
• EBLIDA's Strategy Document. 2007  
• CILIP's Statement on Intellectual Freedom, access to information & Censorship. 2005

ACTION PLAN

Within our considerable resource constraints, both financial and human, the International Task and Finish Group have identified a number of strands of work to be progressed:

CILIP will:

Support best practice in library and information work internationally.

• Establish a small board with trustee representation to oversee matters where financial or professional decisions need to be made with due probity- IFLA nominations and grants, Kate Pierce Awards, Overseas Members Special Fund support etc.
• Continue to maintain a leading role in the governance, policy and activity of IFLA & EBLIDA.
• Advocate in partnership with other organisation on matters of international importance such as intellectual property, digital rights, freedom of expression, protection of cultural heritage etc.
• Work with ILIG, other SiGs, Branches and Celtic nations to ensure that members are actively involved in international matters.
• Encourage SiGs, branches and Celtic nations to work with overseas colleagues on their own projects and to provide advice where appropriate.
• Provide appropriate services to international members and work to increase the CILIP international membership base, in co-operation with national LIS associations worldwide.
• Provide opportunities for CILIP and its members to benefit from the knowledge and experience of overseas colleagues.
• Enrich the professional experience of members through projects such as the LIBEX exchange database.

This action plan will be regularly reviewed.

May 2009.

Updated: 27 May 2009