The Lyon Declaration
The Lyon Declaration on Access to Information and Development
The Lyon Declaration is an advocacy document that was used to positively influence the content of the United Nations post-2015 development agenda. It was drafted by IFLA and a number of strategic partners in the library and development communities between January and May 2014.
The Declaration states clearly that access to information supports development by empowering people to:
- Exercise their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
- Learn and apply new skills
- Make decisions and participate in an active and engaged civil society
- Create community-based solutions to development challenges
- Ensure accountability, transparency, good governance, and empowerment
- Measure progress on public and private commitments on sustainable development.
The Declaration called upon United Nations Member States to make an international commitment through the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure that everyone has access to, and is able to understand, use and share the information that is necessary to promote sustainable development and democratic societies.
The Declaration was launched at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Lyon, France on 18 August 2014. Organisations who share the vision expressed were invited to sign the Declaration and more than 600 institutions did so. The Declaration is available in 24 languages.