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Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Associations

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.