​

The stage is set for a major gathering of key library stakeholders, leaders, practitioners, innovators and supporters representing governments, NGOs, regional and international aid agencies, embassies, libraries and archives from across the Pacific. Together they will explore and progress opportunities for utilising the power of libraries to help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The vision for the Advocacy Workshop and Libraries Summit is to bring together key stakeholders, Pacific library practitioners and International Network of Emerging Library Innovators in the Oceania Region (INELI-Oceania) innovators from across the Pacific to:

  • Train and equip practitioners in the SDGs
  • Equip practitioners with advocacy skills and give them confidence to advocate for public libraries and their contribution to the SDGs
  • Advocate for the role of public libraries and librarians in society and to inspire a vision and agreement for collaborative and sustainable development of public library services in the region.

The outcomes expected are:

  • A Call to Action document for public library development in the South Pacific
  • Demonstration of the value of libraries in achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals 

These outcomes will be shared at ALIA's Asia-Pacific Sustainable Development Goals Summit on 29 July 2018.

Advocacy Day and Workshop

The Pacific Libraries Sustainable Development Goals Advocacy Day and Workshop on 31 May will bring library practitioners from the Pacific region together with INELI Oceania innovators to equip them with the skills and confidence as advocates for the role of public libraries and librarians and their contribution to the UN SDGs.

The Objectives of the Advocacy Day and Workshop are to:

  1. Advocate the importance of public libraries in building sustainable communities and supporting UN SDGs, e.g. education, innovation, informed citizenship
  2. Understand the opportunities for libraries to contribute to the SDGs and how to advocate for library services
  3. Inspire, motivate and equip Pacific library practitioners for leadership and innovation
  4. Build and strengthen a supportive network of Pacific library leaders, practitioners and stakeholders
  5. The development of a South Pacific Libraries Call to Action document for presentation to the Pacific influencers who will attend on the following day 

During the workshop, President-elect Christine Mackenzie will deliver SDG awareness and advocacy training to library practitioners; Division I (Library Types) Chair, Vicki McDonald, will moderate a panel discussion on United Nations and Pacific Regional Agencies – applying the SDG’s in a Pacific context.

South Pacific Library Summit

The South Pacific Library Summit on 1 June will culminate in the first ever region-wide Pacific Libraries Vision and Call to Action to inspire Pacific collaboration in advancing the development of public library services and to build and strengthen a supportive network that ensures public libraries are resourced and equipped to undertake their vitally important work in communities.

The Objectives of the Summit are to:

  1. Create an opportunity for Pacific collaboration to advance the development of public library services
  2. Advocate the importance of public libraries in building sustainable communities and supporting UN SDGs, e.g. education, innovation, informed citizenship
  3. Inspire, motivate and equip Pacific library practitioners for leadership and innovation
  4. Build and strengthen a supportive network of Pacific library leaders, practitioners and stakeholders

At the summit, Division I (Library Types) Chair, Vicki McDonald will take part in the session Collaboration in action, along with National and State Libraries of Australasia (NSLA) and Public Libraries Association (PLA) representatives.

SOURCE: INELI-Oceania