[A2k] Press release: Libraries activating for Access to Knowledge

[Teresa Hackett (eIFL)]

http://www.eifl.net/services/ipcis_pr.html

Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL.net) and
International Renaissance Foundation

Libraries activating for Access to Knowledge

PRESS RELEASE
June 1, 2006

Advocacy for Access to Knowledge: copyright and libraries
International seminar, Kiev, 26-27 May 2006

On 26-27 May 2006, the prestigious National University of Kyiv-Mohyla
Academy hosted experts from former Soviet Union, Mongolia, South-East
Asia and the Middle East at an international seminar on the role of
libraries and access to knowledge. Thirty specialist librarians from
twenty-five countries  debated how copyright law impacts on access to
information and knowledge, especially in the digital age and discussed
policies and strategies to safeguard future access to our cultural and
scientific heritage.

Access to knowledge is essential for the functioning of a healthy and
democratic society. Libraries are conduits that enable all members of
the community to benefit from global information resources, ideas and
opinions. However legal and technological restrictions on the sharing
and re-use of content over the last decade have restricted library services=
.

=93Librarians must defend the interests of students, researchers and the
general public who use the library. We must ensure that copyright is an
enabler of access to knowledge, not a barrier. That is what this seminar
is about=94, said Teresa Hackett, Project Manager eIFL-IP.

Organised by Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL.net) and local
partner Informatio Consortium, the event is supported by the UNESCO
Information for All Programme. High level speakers from Egypt, Finland,
Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Ukraine and the UK shared their expertise
with participants in a lively two days of learning and debate.

"Librarians have an important role to play to ensure that international
instruments concluded in the area of intellectual property are balanced
and supportive of important public policy objectives such as access to
knowledge and information", said Ahmed Abdel Latif, the speaker from
Egypt who has represented his country in many negotiations on IP at
different international fora.

"Sharing knowledge is an essential function of society. Libraries and
the Free Software community have a common interest in a copyright system
that promotes the spread of knowledge so that ideas do not become
monopolised.  The Free Software Foundation Europe is delighted to work
together with librarians for Access to Knowledge in the interest of
users." said Karsten Gerloff, Free Software Foundation Europe.

The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Copyright
Committee was represented at the workshop by Barbara Stratton, Senior
Copyright Adviser for the UK's Chartered Institute of Library and
Information Professionals, who said, "Libraries underpin the Information
Society. It is absolutely vital that librarians are recognised by
governments, legislators and the wider community as major stakeholders
in the knowledge economy. It is in society's interests that librarians
are fully consulted and involved in every stage of development copyright
legislation."

"With due respect to our international obligations and national
copyright laws, it is our role to dream, seek, ask and work for an
intellectual property system that provides proper balance between the
rights of rightholders and the rights of society to access use and
disseminate knowledge, education which in turn stimulates creativity",
said Hala Essalmawi, Attorney at law, IPR officer, The library of
Alexandria, Egypt.

=93We are delighted that eIFL.net chose to hold this seminar in Ukraine=94,
said Iryna Kuchma, manager of International Renaissance Foundation,
which runs a programme on Access to Knowledge. =93There is a growing
international movement for Access to Knowledge (A2K) which is pushing
for changes to the global intellectual property system at the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It is such an important issue
and librarians have a key role to play=94, continued Iryna Kuchma.

Fair access to information for all is essential to nurture education and
stimulate innovation. This seminar is the first step to mobilise a
network of library copyright experts in the region.

Further information: http://www.eifl.net/services/ipcis.html

Teresa Hackett, Project Manager eIFL-IP
Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL)
c/o ADN Kronos, Piazza Mastai 9
00153 Rome, Italy
Tel: +(39)(06)5807216/17
E-mail: teresa.hackett@eifl.net
http://www.eifl.net/

Iryna Kuchma, Social Capital and Academic Publications Program Manager
International Renaissance Foundation
46, Artema Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 04053
Telephone:    (+380 44) 461-9500
Fax:        (+380 44) 486 0166
E-mail: kuchma@irf.kiev.ua
http://www.irf.kiev.ua/programs/scaap

Notes for Editors

eIFL
eIFL.net is an international foundation which supports national library
consortia in fifty transition and developing countries to negotiate and
advocate for the wide availability of electronic resources to education,
research and professional communities as well as governmental
organisations and civil society. This global network embraces millions
of users in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and
the Middle East.

International Renaissance Foundation
International Renaissance Foundation is private, grant-making foundation
funded by George Soros which aims to shape public policy to promote
democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social
reform. Funds are also allocated for diversification of information
resources for the third sector, democratization of education and public
health, development of social capital and academic publications.