Picture of the SDG logo in as a pin. Text: IFLA newsletter

The message below accompanies the July 2024 edition of the IFLA Newsletter.

IFLA Newsletter, Vol. 4, No. 7

It is in July of each year that the United Nations holds the High-Level Political Forum, the key moment in the annual cycle of work around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As you will read further down, libraries were visible at this year’s event, engaging ministers, taking the floor, and contributing to raising awareness of what our profession and institutions can contribute to global agendas.

However, while the SDGs offer a great means of getting libraries into new conversations and forming new partnerships internationally, it is relevant at all levels. We all have a responsibility, as the2030 Agenda itself sets out.

While words like development can be only associated with economic development, or less wealthy countries, it is much broader than this. The same goes for sustainability, which is of course about environmental aspects, but also the economic, social, an arguably cultural pillars of development.

All that we do to meet the needs of our communities today and into the future, contributing to a stronger, fairer, greener world, is sustainable development. And the contribution of libraries is as broad as it is deep.

We can therefore be confident in making the sustainable development our own, and claiming our place at the table whenever it is discussed, from the UN to cities, towns an villages everywhere.

This newsletter therefore not only shares news about what the librarians at the High-Level Political Fourm were doing, but also about how work in different parts of the library field makes a difference.

In addition to this, you’ll find the latest about our Information Futures Summit, which is now barely two months away, and getting more exciting with each new added speaker.

Don’t miss the announcements about our latest WLIC review survey and dates for our September townhall meetings, other upcoming events, and as each time a welcome to our new members.

Happy reading!

Browse past issues