IFLA

As of 22 April 2009 this website is 'frozen' in time — see the current IFLA websites

This old website and all of its content will stay on as archive – http://archive.ifla.org

Berlin conference logo  

World Library and Information Congress: 69th IFLA General Conference and Council

Access Point Library:
Media - Information - Culture

1 - 9 August 2003, Berlin, Germany
Patron: German Federal President Johannes Rau


INDEX

AGENDA OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS

PROPOSAL FOR AMEDMENTS TO THE STATUTES

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS


IN THIS DOCUMENT:

1. Amendment to Article 22.2 of the Statutes of IFLA

2. New Article added to the Statutes of IFLA)

3. Proposed amendment to new article of the statutes. Council Agenda item 8 (b)

4. World Summit for the Information Society

5. National Security Legislation

6. Libraries in Iraq

7. Libraries in Iraq

8. Libraries in Iraq

9. Libraries in Iraq. Proposed consolidation of Resolutions 4, 5 and 6.

10. Women's Information Needs


 

Council Resolutions

1. Proposed amendment to new article of the statutes. Council Agenda item 8 (b)

Amendment to Article 22.2 of the Statutes of IFLA:
Delete: "together with 3" and substitute: "the President-elect; and two"

The amended Article now reads:
"22.2 The Professional Committee shall consist of the chair, elected in accordance with Article 22.3; and an officer of each Division of the Federation, preferably the chair of the Division; the President-elect; and two members of the Governing Board, elected by that Board from among its members."

Proposed by: the Treasurer on behalf of the Governing Board.

This proposal was carried without dissent.


2. New Article added to the Statutes of IFLA

"15.8.3 If a quorum is not present at a meeting of Council, the announced business may be transacted and implemented subject to gaining a two-thirds majority of those members present. Such business may be implemented only if subsequently endorsed by a quorate meeting of the Governing Board. Any decisions made may be confirmed at the next meeting of Council. If a quorum is not present at that subsequent meeting, agenda items requiring confirmation or decision shall be referred to a postal ballot."

Proposed by: the Treasurer on behalf of the Governing Board.
[This resolution incorporates an amendment proposed by CILIP, UK which was separately approved by Council].

This proposal was carried, with no votes against and one abstention.


3. Proposed amendment to new article of the statutes. Council Agenda item 8 (b)

Insert after "... voting members present": Such business may be only be implemented if subsequently endorsed by a quorate meeting of the Governing Board.

Proposed by: Barry Cropper, Chair, Executive Board, CILIP

The amendment was carried, with seven votes against and one abstention.


4. World Summit for the Information Society

Whereas the World Summit for the Information Society offers a unique opportunity for the library community to be recognized as the heart of the information society,

And whereas IFLA has already devoted a great amount of work to influence the draft declaration and plan of action of the World Summit for the Information Society,

Therefore be it resolved that library associations and institutions are urged to advocate to their government representatives to the World Summit for the Information Society for libraries as a global public good,

And be it resolved that IFLA calls upon all governments to address the growing gap between the information rich and the information poor, and promote library development programs for poor rural and urban populations, literacy instruction through libraries, and the strengthening of library education programs,

And be it resolved that IFLA urges governments to eliminate fees for basic services broadly construed, assist in developing local content for electronic information services, and provide equitable access to the Internet,

And be it resolved that this resolution be sent to all national library associations and government delegations to the World Summit for the Information Society.

Proposed by: Robert Moropa, President, LIASA; Carla Hayden, President, ALA; Barry Cropper, Chair, CILIP Executive Board

This resolution was carried without dissent.


5. National Security Legislation

Whereas IFLA understands the need for appropriate national legislation consistent with international conventions to fight terrorism,

And whereas almost all countries have ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, specifically including Article 19,

And whereas IFLA has drawn attention to the consequences for libraries, librarians, and library users of the USA PATRIOT Act,

And whereas national security legislation should not infringe existing civil and privacy rights,

Therefore be it resolved that IFLA deplores the introduction by a number of countries of legislation which violates fundamental human rights to privacy and unhampered access to information in the name of national security, and calls for the repeal or amendment of all such legislation in order to protect these rights,

And be it resolved that this resolution be disseminated worldwide, and specifically sent to all national library associations with a request that they respond on this matter to the FAIFE Office of IFLA.

Proposed by: Al Kagan, University of Illinois

This resolution was carried, no votes against, with 17 abstentions.


6. Libraries in Iraq

Whereas IFLA members have been distressed at the damage caused to libraries and other cultural institutions in Iraq,

Therefore

Be it resolved that IFLA members all over the world should encourage their national governments to ratify UNESCO "1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict" and its Protocols particularly the Second Protocol (1999) which will provide for enhanced protection of cultural property and introduce the concept of a cultural war crime.

Be it also resolved that IFLA members should encourage the creation of a national Blue Shield committee in their respective countries.

Proposed by: PAC Core Activity, Preservation and Conservation Section

This resolution was withdrawn in favour of consolidated resolution No. 9.


7. Libraries in Iraq

Whereas recent UNESCO missions have confirmed destruction and extensive damage in libraries and archives throughout Iraq; and

Whereas IFLA as an advocate for free access to information and freedom of expression, affirms the central importance of libraries to civil society; and

Whereas IFLA as an advocate for the preservation of recorded history and cultural heritage has played a key role in making librarians all over the world aware of the significance of these losses to the Iraqi population and to humanity; and

Whereas discussions at IFLA’s 2003 conference have advanced the understanding of the complexities surrounding any efforts to rebuild the library profession in Iraq and the library collections, systems, and buildings throughout the country;

It is urged that governments that have not already done so ratify the Second Protocol of The Hague convention regarding the protection of cultural properties in the event of armed conflict; and

It is urged that IFLA strengthen its communications program to foster understanding of the conditions facing librarians and libraries in Iraq and to develop a global awareness of the impact of those losses, not only for those whose who would study the past but also for those who depend on libraries to contribute to the rebuilding of civil society, recognizing libraries as an essential part of the social infrastructure; and

It is urged that IFLA encourage its members to work in a collaborative international effort, looking to the International Committee of the Blue Shield as a coordinating body; and

It is further urged that IFLA redouble its actions and also make publicly evident its work in assisting the rebuilding of Iraq’s libraries; and further, that this resolution be conveyed to each national member association of IFLA.

Proposed by: Alice Prochaska, Yale University, Nancy M. Cline, Harvard University

This resolution was withdrawn in favour of consolidated resolution No. 9.


8. Libraries in Iraq

Considering the events and fatal outcomes of recent armed conflicts, especially in Iraq, in which important parts of national and international heritage have perished or been looted and subject to illicit trade, CDNL strongly urges IFLA to encourage all countries to, as quickly as possible:

  1. take appropriate and strong measures to combat illicit trade in cultural heritage, if they have not already done so
  2. ratify the second protocol of The Hague convention of 1954, thereby strengthening the international legal framework for the protection of library and archive collections and other cultural heritage items
  3. commit themselves to contribute to the restoration of the physical, professional and technological infrastructure of Iraq’s libraries.

Resolution of the 30th meeting of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries, Berlin, 6 August 2003 to IFLA

Proposed by: Jan Fullerton, Chair, CDNL

This resolution was withdrawn in favour of consolidated resolution No. 9.


9. Libraries in Iraq
Proposed consolidation of Resolutions 4, 5 and 6.

Whereas recent UNESCO missions have confirmed destruction and extensive damage in libraries and archives throughout Iraq; and

Whereas IFLA as an advocate for free access to information and freedom of expression, affirms the central importance of libraries to civil society; and

Whereas IFLA as an advocate for the preservation of recorded history and cultural heritage has played a key role in making librarians all over the world aware of the signifance of these losses to the Iraqi population and to humanity; and

Whereas discussions at IFLA’s 2003 conference have advanced the understanding of the complexities surrounding any efforts to rebuild the library profession in Iraq and the library collections, systems, and buildings throughout the country;

It is resolved that:
  • IFLA members should encourage all national governments, that have not already done so, to ratify UNESCO “1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict” and its Protocols particularly the Second Protocol (1999) which will provide for enhanced protection of cultural property and introduce the concept of a cultural war crime.
  • IFLA should encourage all countries to take appropriate and strong measures to combat illicit trade in cultural heritage, if they have not already done so.
  • IFLA encourage its members to work in a collaborative international effort, looking to the International Committee of the Blue Shield as a coordinating body.
  • IFLA members should encourage the creation of a national Blue Shield committee in their respective countries.
  • IFLA should strengthen its communications program to foster understanding of the conditions facing librarians and libraries in Iraq and to develop a global awareness of the impact of those losses, not only for those whose who would study the past but also for those who depend on libraries to contribute to the rebuilding of civil society, recognizing libraries as an essential part of the social infrastructure.
  • IFLA should encourage all countries to commit themselves to contribute to the restoration of the physical, professional and technological infrastructure of Iraq’s libraries.
  • IFLA should redouble its actions and also make publicly evident its work in assisting the rebuilding of Iraq’s libraries; and further, that this resolution be conveyed to each national member association of IFLA.

This proposal was carried without dissent.


10. Women's Information Needs

Background:

IFLA’s Professional Priorities include
(c) promoting literacy, reading and lifelong learning, and
(d) promoting unrestricted access to information.

Main thrust of this resolution is on studying information needs of women. This particular issue is a direct outcome of the Satellite Meeting on "Globalisation: Empowering Women through Information. Impact on Information Availability and Use in Society on Women" organized by the Women’s Issues Section in Berlin on 31 July 2003.

Women's information needs are specific: they cover social, economic, health, educational and cultural issues that range across women in all sectors of society. Women’s information skills vary from basic to the most advanced.

Resolution

As members of the Women's Issues Section we urge the members of all divisions and sections of IFLA to undertake activities to study information needs of women in the member countries in order to enhance information services to women and to the augment women's use of information.

Berlin, Germany, 6 August 2003

Proposed by: Mary Biblo; Kalpana Dasgupta; Monica Ertel; Leena Siitonen; Thelma Tate; Marta Terry. (Women’s Issues Section)

595 votes were cast in favour of this resolution, 40 were cast against. There were 163 abstentions. The resolution was carried.

*    

Latest Revision: September 11, 2003 Copyright ©
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
www.ifla.org