IFLA 2019_Congress Programme

11 IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2019 24—30 August 2019 | Athens, Greece About IFLA To advance the interest of our members, we: • further accessibility, protection, and preservation of documentary cultural heritage; • support a library and information profession which anticipates, responds, and continuously innovates to address the needs of communities worldwide; • drives high standards in library and information services and professional practices; • encourage widespread understanding of the value and importance of quality library and information services in the public, private and voluntary sectors; • promote libraries as vital institutions that enhance people’s lives and contributes to sustainable development through equitable access to information and knowledge; • advocate for the best policies for libraries at all levels, through collaboration between headquarters, volunteers and members. As the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users, we place libraries on the global stage and help them develop. We are the global voice and the largest brain trust of the library and information profession. We have an active network of more than 1,400 Members – leading associations and institutions from the library field – in over 140 countries around the world, 850 active volunteers, and well-established relations with the UN and other international organisations. Together with our Members, we work to set the professional agenda and develop standards for providing high-quality library services, to improve equitable and meaningful access to information, knowledge and cultural heritage resources, and to place this work at the heart of policy, from the local to the global level. We do this by creating strategic alliances; enhancing professional education; developing professional standards; disseminating best practices; advancing relevant scientific and professional knowledge; and undertaking and supporting advocacy for libraries at all levels. We are committed to enabling all members of the Federation to engage in, and benefit from, our activities without discrimination. We embrace the principles of freedom of access to information, ideas and works of imagination and freedom of expression embodied in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We hold that people, communities and organisations need universal and equitable access for their social, educational, cultural, democratic and economic well-being, and to achieve sustainable development. The National Library of the Netherlands, located in the Hague, generously hosts our headquarters.