International policy

The Mission

CILIP recognises:

• the right of every citizen of the world to access information, ideas and works of the imagination, and the importance of freely available information in promoting international understanding
• that library and information services are of fundamental and equal importance in all countries of the world
• the need to bridge the gap between the information rich and the information poor, throughout the world
• the importance of enabling, particularly through appropriate education and training, information professionals worldwide to deliver high quality services to users
• that members of CILIP should be enabled to work with colleagues throughout the world for their mutual benefit, particularly in a context of increasing international legislation, standards and networks.

The Aims

Within this framework six broad policy areas give a practical expression to these beliefs. These are:

• to ensure that the views and aspirations of UK librarians and other information workers are properly represented in international organisations, both those within the field of LIS and those with a wider remit;
• to encourage the dissemination at an international level of professional practice and research originating in the UK and to explore opportunities, often working with partners, for international co-operation arising from it;
• to encourage the UK government to recognise the value of library and information skills and activities in conducting foreign and development policy;
• to provide opportunities for CILIP members to enrich their own professional lives by taking full advantage of contact with overseas colleagues, and assisting them to benefit from international networks and the global market-place. In support of this to provide financial assistance to those members mandated by CILIP to carry out international roles, according to strictly observed guidelines and where funds are available. To facilitate the assimilation of the expertise and experience of overseas colleagues within the UK profession;
• to use the UK's experience and expertise to support and further the profession and related organisations in countries where for political, economic, social or cultural reasons the role of the library and information centre has not yet been fully developed;
• to develop and provide appropriate services for overseas members of CILIP.

These aims are closely interlinked and not mutually exclusive; i.e. an activity which is principally targeted on one of these areas may have benefits in some or all of the others.