Library and information professionals in Zambia reminded of the importance of libraries in sustainable development

Ms. Velenasi Mwale Munsanje, LIAZ President (L)
and Dr. Auxilia Ponga, Permanent Secretary (R)
[Photo: Justin Chisenga] 

The Minister of National Development and Planning in Zambia, Honourable Lucky Mulusa, has reminder library and information professionals in Zambia on the importance of libraries and information in sustainable development.
In a statement at the opening session of the 2017 Library and Information Association of Zambia (LIAZ) Annual Conference in Siavonga, read on his behalf by Dr. Auxilia Ponga, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Hon. Mulusa urged participants to seriously review the way libraries and other related institutions in the country are managing the information to effectively contribute sustainable development.

“The Government recognises that to deliver inclusive and equitable development to its citizens who are at the core of sustainable development, it requires concerted efforts and commitment of all stakeholders, including libraries. In order to attain its aspirations for sustainable development, Zambia needs services of up-to-date and well-coordinated libraries to make sound and informed decisions. This implies that there is need for ready access to well-packaged information for individuals, institutions and communities. This would lead to empowered and resilient citizens and consequently attainment of sustainable development”, Hon. Mulusa said.

Hon. Mulusa also urged library and information professionals to take advantage of technological advancement to modernise the libraries and the provision of information services.

“As a country that pursues smart technologies, it is imperative that libraries should no longer only be accessed physically, but they should allow for a readership that access libraries online through computers and other devices such as phones”,  Hon. Mulusa added.

In her statement, Ms. Velenasi Mwale Munsanje, LIAZ President, assured the Minister’s representative of LIAZ’s support to the government’s development aganda.

Group  photo of participants at the 2017 LIAZ
Annual Conference

“We are looking at what our institutions and us, the information professionals, can do to help the government attain the SDGs. We are the right profession to help you achieve the development goals of Zambia”,  Ms. Munsanje said.

In a vote of thanks, Mr. Hephias Hamakanda, a former librarian with the Zambia Library Service and now a farmer, expressed regret at the absence of a library policy and relevant legislation in the country. He asked the government, through Dr. Ponga, to address the issue of a library policy that was initiated in the late 1970’s by the library and information professionals in the country.

The 2017 LIAZ Annual Conference, on the theme: “The Role of Information Institutions and Professionals in the Attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals”, runs from 18 July to 21 July 2017.

LIAZ members get acquainted with advocating for the SDGs

Part of the workshop participants during group work
[Photo: Justin Chisenga]

More than 100 members of the Library and Information Association of Zambia (LIAZ) on 18 July 2017 attended a one-day workshop on advocating for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Siavonga, in the Southern Province of the country.

 “As information professionals, we need to fully understand what the SDGs are if we are to meaningfully contribute to the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”,  Ms. Velenasi Mwale Munsanje, LIAZ President, said in her welcome statement.

The practical workshop held at the Lake Safari Lodge, on the shores of the Lake Kariba, covered the following topics: introduction to the SDGs, library advocacy and the SDGs, identification of targets for advocacy initiatives, selecting an advocacy issue, developing messages, developing an advocacy strategy matrix, and monitoring and evaluation of advocacy initiatives, among others.

The participants worked in groups and developed sample advocacy plans based on the SDGs of their choice and shared their work in the plenary session.

Mr. Mark Maseko, National Information Officer from the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Zambia, and Mr. Charles Nonde, Librarian at UNIC, co-facilitated the workshop.

The workshop was held part of LIAZ’s 2017 Annual General Conference taking place from 18 July to 21 July 2017, on the theme: “The Role of Information Institutions and Professionals in the Attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals”.