SCECSAL General Assembly's resolutions: Advancing sustainable development and professional growth

Participants at the SCECSAL conference

The XXVI SCECSAL Conference ended in Mombasa today with the  SCECSAL General Assembly adopting a series of important resolutions aimed at pushing libraries and information professionals towards greater alignment with global development agendas while fostering professional growth and innovation. 

The General Assembly, recognizing the importance of aligning library activities with national and global development agendas, urged SCECSAL member Associations to map out library activities related to each SDG in their respective countries. Additionally, member Associations were requested to contribute to the IFLA Library Map of the World with SDG stories, highlighting the vital role of libraries in achieving sustainable development.

The General Assembly also emphasized the need for enhanced engagement and reporting on the contributions of libraries towards SDGs. Therefore, to facilitate knowledge sharing on SDGs and libraries related activities and initiatives, the General Assembly mandated the Library and Information Association of Zambia (LIAZ) to organize a poster session during the SCECSAL 2026 conference, to provide member Associations with a platform to showcase their SDG-oriented projects and initiatives.

Esther Tobias from Namibia presenting a paper
at the SCECSAL conference

Acknowledging the significant presence of young professionals and students in library and information science at SCECSAL conferences, the General Assembly resolved to establish a dedicated session for academic research papers from students at future SCECSAL conferences. This initiative aims to ensure that young professionals receive constructive feedback on their work and support. Additionally, the General Assembly resolved to organize webinars on presentation skills for paper presenters to enhance their presentation abilities. 

Recognizing the importance of staying abreast of emerging trends, the Assembly encouraged library professionals and institutions to embrace bibliometric analysis as a tool for informed decision-making and innovation.

These resolutions reflect SCECSAL's commitment to advocating for the contributions of libraries towards achieving the SDGs, and fostering professional excellence and innovation within the library and information science community in the SCECSAL region. By aligning activities with global agendas, empowering the next generation, and embracing emerging trends, SCECSAL continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of libraries and the profession in the region.

You can download a copy of the 2024 SCECSAL General Assembly resolution document on the SCECSAL resolutions webpage.