SCECSAL Website: Namibia Country Report 2000

SCECSAL Banner

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

NAMIBIA COUNTRY REPORT 2000 - 2002

Namibian Information Workers Association

Introduction

The report covers the period May 2000 to April 2002. During the period NIWA concentrated on the publication of SCECSAL and SCANUL ECS proceedings, election of the new Executive Committee, and designing a plan of action to address the challenges its faces.

It is worth noting that NIWA has not performed well mainly because to lack of involvement on the members’ part and shortage in the Executive Committee.

Executive Committee

NIWA held elections at its Annual General Meeting of November 2000 and the new Executive Committee assumed office in January 2001.

However, some members resigned, mostly due to job transfers. A new committee was instituted in February 2002 and the association has been performing better since then.

General meetings

The association held three general meetings in 2001, to discuss issues related to the information/library profession.

Publications

NIWA published the proceedings of SCECSAL 2002 and SCANUL ECS, which have been distributed to most of the participants at these conferences. Copies are available for sale.

Activities for 2002

The Executive Committee at its meeting held in March 2002 discussed a plan of action for the year.

The following activities has been identified for 2002

Increase membership base, especially in institutional membership category
Revival of the NIWA newsletter, NIWA Info, and proper maintenance of the NIWA web page
Formation of subcommittees and interest groups
Amendment of the constitution
Establishment of NIWA branches in the regions
Establishment of the NIWA library/collection
Fundraising activities

Other developments

National Library and Information Council/

The Namibia and Information Service Act, to which NIWA contributed extensively, was passed in 2000 and come into operation in April 2001.

NIWA serves in the National Library and Information Council, which was established in 2001, in terms of the Act. This is another opportunity for us to lobby for improved terms and conditions of services for information professionals and to contribute towards the enhancement of information access and availability at a national level.

Repatriation of historical resources

The National Archives embarked upon a major project "Archives of Anti-colonial resistance and the Liberation Struggle". The project aims to repatriate and safeguard records from abroad and from within the country, to complement the one-sided and biased records from the colonial administration. The project will for three years be co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany.

Constraints

NIWA is faced by a number of challenges, which we hope to overcome soon.

The membership of the association is still very low, considering a number of information centers and libraries in the countries. Most of the members are in Windhoek. There is a great need to become active in the regions.

NIWA does not have a fixed office. This makes the administration and organization of activities difficult.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we would like to thank LIASA for organizing a successful conference. We also appreciate library associations and other institutions which contributed to the participation of the delegates at this conference.