The Lyon Declaration: Advocating for Access to Information

The third issue of the IFLA* Law Libraries Section** Newsletter came out last month. It includes a nice report on last summer’s IFLA conference in Lyon, France, which is worth reviewing to get a sense of what’s front of mind in international law libraries. However, what I wanted to draw your attention to is the Lyon Declaration on Access to Information and Development drafted by IFLA and “a number of strategic partners in the library and development communities” and launched at the conference.

“The declaration calls upon the members of the United Nations to make an international commitment to ensure that everyone has access to (and is able to understand, use, and share) the information that is necessary to promote sustainable development and democratic societies. The declaration emphasizes the importance of access to information, supported by the availability of information and communications technologies (ICTs), to empower people and improve their lives.”

This advocacy document is intended to inform the current UN “development agenda” negotiations as new goals are set for the 2016-2030 period.

The fourth point of the declaration section is particularly relevant to memory institutions like libraries:

4. “Information intermediaries such as libraries, archives, civil society organisations (CSOs), community leaders and the media have the skills and resources to help governments, institutions and individuals communicate, organize, structure and understand data that is critical to development. They can do this by:
   • Providing information on basic rights and entitlements, public services, environment, health, education, work opportunities, and public expenditure that supports local communities and people to guide their own development.
   • Identifying and focusing attention on relevant and pressing needs and problems within a population.
   • Connecting stakeholders across regional, cultural and other barriers to facilitate communication and the exchange of development solutions that could be scaled for greater impact.
   • Preserving and ensuring ongoing access to cultural heritage, government records and information by the public, through the stewardship of national libraries and archives and other public heritage institutions.
   • Providing public forums and space for wider civil society participation and engagement in decision-making.
   • Offering training and skills to help people access and understand the information and services most helpful to them.”

Over 560 groups have signed the Declaration to show their support for this initiative. I encourage you to have a look and contact any associations you might belong to and ask them to consider becoming a signatory.

* The International Federation of Library Associations

** More information about the IFLA Law Libraries section is available on their website