CILIP launches its new five-year strategy and action plan today, setting out the key themes and priorities that will define the future of our professional community.

We Are CILIP will enable CILIP to build on the progress achieved over the last five years and to look ahead to new ways of supporting the profession and the people who work in it. The action plan sets out how CILIP will support its members through powerful and effective representation, world-leading recognition, future-ready expertise and a thriving community.

Data and information are fuelling new ways of working, and information professionals in all sectors are helping to release that value for organisations, communities and individuals. With technology playing a huge role in the way knowledge and information is gathered, stored and accessed, so information professionals are developing new skills, and the We are CILIP strategy will support them every step of the way. Four key areas have been identified as crucial elements that will underpin the development of the profession. Each of the elements – digital transformation, leadership, equity and social justice, and sustainability – will provide a solid foundation for positive change. The strategy has been carefully developed to enable individuals and organisations to support their communities and users.

As the name suggests, We are CILIP is firmly rooted in CILIP’s membership and a sense of inclusivity – helping to unite the profession and encouraging individuals to act and get involved where they can.

CILIP Chief Executive Nick Poole said:

“We are CILIP marks a turning-point for our professional community – the moment when we move from being information managers to information leaders. I am so excited to share this strategy and action plan, which has been developed in dialogue with our members in all sectors. By working together, we can achieve a tremendously exciting future for our profession.”

We are CILIP has been developed in collaborations with CILIP’s individuals members, through a series of Big Conversation events held last year. CILIP’s grassroots member networks and special interest groups have also been heavily involved in informing the latest strategy. CILIP’s board of trustees signed off the strategy on behalf of members last month, and over the next few months work will begin to implement and embed the strategy throughout CILIP’s work.