Library delegation at IGF 2016: Jonathan Hernandez-Perez, Patricia Hepworth, Stuart Hamilton, David Ramírez-Ordoñez, and Mandiaye Ndiaye.

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Guadalajara takes place on 6-9 December 2016. IFLA will be focusing on promoting the Principles on Public Access in Libraries, which includes infrastructure, policy, copyright, accessibility, privacy, skills development, open access and local content. IFLA is part of the Dynamic Coalition on Public Access in Libraries, a group within the Internet Governance Forum which is working to develop actions which will connect the next billion.

Don't miss our #IGFDCPAL session on Wednesday!

Today was Day 0 – a day with pre-events relating to IGF, giving us the chance to attend many important sessions: 

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) session had a very productive workshop in which we discussed several issues such as how we can improve networking in our communities. We highlighted the use of libraries as spaces for building strong communities and also as secure and private spaces.

The Global Connect session had speakers from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Society (ISOC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNESCO, World Economic Forum (WEF), and the World Bank. It focused on advancing solutions for connectivity: improving global coordination and collaboration.

Karen McCabe from IEEE mentioned some of the good work libraries are doing in Tunisia to bring people online. Keynote speakers highlighted the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders in order to improve connectivity and digital literacy, both which are areas where libraries are fundamental.

Libraries and librarians are committed to giving access to information, and in doing so promote the achievement of the SDGs. The Internet is a fundamental source of information, and librarians need to participate in discussions about its governance in order actively to shape the way people can fulfil their informational needs. IFLA has been participating in the IGF since 2008. This year, we think, has seen the biggest delegation of librarians yet.

Follow the conversation using #IGFDCPAL or via the official website of IGF.

Jonathan, Mandiaye and David from IFLA International Leaders Programme will be providing entries to the IGF 2016 Library Diary throughout the event – see here tomorrow for more.

The Internet Governance Forum 2016 Library Diary is written by three associates of the IFLA International Leaders Programme: David Ramírez-Ordóñez, Jonathan Hernández Pérez, and Mandiaye Ndiaye.