SCECSAL XVII (2006) RESOLUTIONS
The SCECSAL XVII conference was held at Diamond
Jubilee Hall in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from 10th
-14th July, 2006 on the Theme “Libraries as a Bridge
to an Information and Knowledge Society in Eastern,
Central and Southern Africa”.
Delegates noted the important role knowledge
management plays in human development, and further
recognized that libraries are a bridge to an
information and knowledge society. Delegates of
SCECSAL 17 after deliberating and reflecting on the
conference theme made the following recommendations:
1. Capacity Building in Knowledge Management
Recognizing that knowledge management is a relatively
new innovation that needs to be understood and
internalized by library and information workers: It is
resolved that:
- Schools of library and information science
incorporate KM in their curriculum
- Library associations work closely with schools of
library and information science and other partners to
run refresher courses for practicing librarians and
information workers on KM at national level
- Library associations adopt knowledge management
tools to strengthen their own performance and role in respective countries
2. SCECSAL Website and knowledge sharing:
Realising the benefits of knowledge sharing and
networking among librarians and information workers in
the SCECSAL region, and the opportunities that
electronic communication can provide: It is resolved
that:
- SCECSAL Secretariat facilitate the creation of an interactive website to allow knowledge sharing through discussion forums, networking, and effective communication
- The Secretariat come up with effective strategies
on the management and operation of the SCECSAL website
3. Creation of Knowledge Management Partnerships
Noting that knowledge management is multi-disciplinary
in nature, and that effective action can only happen
through partnership and networking arrangements: It is
resolved that:
- Library Associations seek to create working
partnerships with other agencies involved in the
dissemination of information and sharing of knowledge, including but not limited to: extension workers, public health, ICT practitioners, teachers, and development agencies.
- Library associations work with other stakeholders
to conduct advocacy and to lobby policy makers to
ensure that policies are in place to ensure
appropriate structures are created, resources and set
aside, ensuring there is adequate flow of information
to support development processes in a country
4. Strengthening local library associations
Realising there is need to strengthen associations to
shoulder more effectively the role of an NGO promoting
use of knowledge as a factor of production and
application of knowledge for development: It is
resolved that:
- Library and information workers integrate MDGs into
the library development agenda
- Library associations develop a vision statement,
long and short term strategic plans to guide them in
their activities with special reference to KM
- Library associations work closely with the mass
media to create effective communication channels with
the general public, opinion makers, and policy makers
at national level to promote library and information
use for development.
For comments about the site contact: Justin Chisenga
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