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Now available: IFLA Sub Saharan Africa Region Division Newsletter

Partnering to rebuild libraries in Guinea-Bissau

At our regional workshop on strong and sustainable library fields in Sub-Saharan Africa, Djalo Iaguba representing the Guinea-Bissau Association of Librarians, Archivists and Documentalists, shared the story of how librarians there engaged with the UN Development Programme to put the country's libraries, in a difficult state after repeated wars, on the right path.

Libraries delivering on UN goals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Representatives of four different UN agencies met with over fifty librarians from across Sub-Saharan Africa at our mini-conference on how libraries can contribute to delivering the goals of the United Nations, identifying a wealth of opportunities for engagement. This event was made possible thanks to a grant from Stichting IFLA Global Libraries. 

A platform for finding solutions: IFLA workshop on strong and sustainable library fields in Sub-Saharan Africa

On 16-19 October, over 50 librarians from 32 Sub-Saharan African countries met in Nairobi, Kenya, to learn, share, and accelerate progress towards IFLA’s goal of strong and sustainable library fields at all levels. The meetings were made possible thanks to a grant from Stichting IFLA Global Libraries.

Libraries' Role in Advancing Digital Equity in Africa: Collaborative Efforts at ITU Regional Development Forum for Africa 2023

IFLA was represented at the 2023 International Telecommunications Union Regional Development Forum for Africa, engaging with regulators, businesses, academics and civil society partners to make the case for libraries to be integrated into wider digital inclusion plans, and so realise their potential to become community innovation and co-creation hubs.

Libraries as Catalysts for Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Africa

At the 5th African Youth SDGs Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, libraries were actively present through participation in major sessions to share evidence of libraries' work in contributing to the SDGs.

IFLA announces Regional Offices 2024-26

We are happy to announce that our Governing Board has agreed on the institutions that will host our Regional Offices in 2024-2026 for Asia-Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Meet the world at the World Library and Information Congress - regional sessions this year

IFLA's global reach and geographical diversity will be on show at this year's World Library and Information Congress, in particular through the sessions organised by our Regional Council and Regional Division Committees. Each Committee has worked hard to prepare exciting open sessions, complemented by open business meetings, and our new Hubs Results Session, sharing views from our WLIC 2023 Regional Hubs. 

Call for candidates for co-opted members of the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Division Committee

Candidacies are welcomed for up to 10 positions as co-opted members of IFLA’s incoming Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Division Committee.

IFLA Regional Offices 2024-26: Call for applications

IFLA is welcoming bids from institutions willing to host IFLA Regional Offices for Asia-Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa for a 3 year term, from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026. Deadline for applications: 17 July 2023.

Leading Change for Libraries

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Division Committee (IFLA SSA RDC) Launches the In-Country Library Advocacy Co-Design Team that aimed at leading change for libraries in the region. This initiative is part of the IFLA SSA's global advocacy priorities that identifies and addresses core library advocacy issues specific to various African countries.

Building Sustainable Internet for All: Libraries Engage at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2023

IFLA was represented at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum, held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12-14 April, joining with stakeholders from across Africa to underline how libraries can deliver equity in the online world. We are grateful to Damilare Oyedele for the below report.

For stronger libraries, in Niger and Africa: IFLA’s engagement around the African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development

A strong team of IFLA representatives attended the 9th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, held in Niamey, Niger. Through their presence, they were able to build links and advocate effectively for libraries both with regional and national leaders.

At the heart of the response to crises: IFLA side-event at African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development

Information is a key condition for development, in particular the face of crises. As an IFLA side-event at the African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development underlined, this makes libraries – if properly supported – into key players in providing a response to the challenges Africa faces today.

Libraries delivering on open government: IFLA speaks at African Peer Review Mechanism

Drawing on the insights provided in the publication "The Government Information Landscape in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement", IFLA presented on the role of libraries at the African Peer Review Mechanism's African Governance Seminar, highlighting our contribution to open governance goals. We are grateful to Nerisa Kumar, Information Africa Organization, for attending and providing this report.

Africa Internet Governance Forum: highlights from IFLA's Sub-Saharan Regional Division representatives

IFLA was represented by IFLA's Sub-Saharan Africa Region Committee members and stakeholders, who in partnership with the Malawi Library Association had an opportunity to be part of the Africa Internet Governance Forum was held between 19 and 22 July 2022, in Lilongwe, Malawi.

IFLA's Regional Division Committees participate at their first IFLA World Library & Information Congress in 2022

IFLA's Regional Division Committees will participate at their first IFLA World Library & Information Congress (WLIC) 2022 scheduled for Dublin, Ireland. They have prepared exciting Open sessions and are more than ready to share views and ideas on strengthening library advocacy at the regional evidence. Join their Open sessions to get to know what is happening in the world of libraries across all the regions of the world.

Developing informed resilient youths to accelerate action towards achieving the SDGs in the COVID-19 era: a hybrid event by IFLA's SSA RDC

IFLA's Sub-Saharan African Regional Division Committee organised a hybrid side event in the context of its participation at the 4th African Youth Sustainable Development Goals Summit, that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

IFLA Sub-Saharan African Regional Division Committee engages the African Youth Sustainable Development Goals Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The IFLA Sub-Saharan African Regional Division Committee (IFLA SSA RDC) sent one of its members as a representative to the 4th African Youth Sustainable Development Goals Summit, taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while organised several events in the same context.

Design-thinking workshop by the IFLA Sub-Saharan African Regional Division Committee, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Τhe IFLA Sub-Saharan African Regional Division Committee organised a design-thinking training in Addis Ababa, as a pre-conference workshop in the context of the 4th African Youth Sustainable Development Goals Summit, taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The workshop addressed emerging library, information and knowledge management professionals and was focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Voluntary National Review (VNR) Process.