Department of Information Studies and Library Management, East West University, organises “Self-facilitated Discussion on IFLA Global Vision 2018”

Shaharima Parvin, Assistant Librarian,

East West University

Dhaka 1 August 2018

The Department of Information Studies and Library Management, East West University, organized “Self-facilitated Discussion on IFLA Global Vision 2018” on 29th July 2018 at the Faculty Lounge of East West University. Dr Dilara Begum, Associate Professor and Chairperson, and Secretary of Information Literacy Section, IFLA has taken this self-initiative to arrange a focus group discussion to generate action ideas for the opportunities derived from the first phase of IFLA’s initiation taken back in 2017.

The Discussion was conducted with some of the prominent Library and Information Professionals of Bangladesh to generate innovative ideas to achieve the global vision of the International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA). The participants were invited following the IFLA Guidelines which mentioned that the number of participants must be limited to 20 and must include professionals from different types of organizations. The participants included academicians and Library professionals from Academic Libraries, National Library, Public Library, Special Library and research institutes, as well as Library Associations.

The Discussion was conducted in a very lively and interactive manner where all the participants from different library experiences felt free and comfortable to share their knowledge and experience while discussing the future of the LIS profession in Bangladesh. The participants contributed to the generation of innovative action ideas that would increase collaboration and unite the future leaders of the field.

In phase 1 of IFLA’s global vision discussion, ten opportunities have been discovered for the library field. These opportunities are global. Regionally, nationally, and locally, there are differences in which opportunities take priority. In the discussion, participants debated about the top opportunities for Bangladesh and Asia and Oceania Region.

The organiser of the discussion is required to submit a country report based on the outcome of the discussion from Bangladesh so that IFLA can be aware of the present condition and future scenario of the LIS profession in Bangladesh.

At the beginning of 2019, the results of all the workshops and online discussions will be presented to IFLA’s Governing Body, which in turn will use the ideas for actions to create concrete strategies, processes and work programmes for the future.