1、Development and Access to Information2024The International Federation of Library Associations andInstitutions(IFLA)is an international body representingthe interests of the library profession and working toimprove services worldwide.IFLA,as the global voice oflibraries,benefits from a strong members

2、hip,a vibrantprofessional community,and close collaboration withpartners.The Technology&Social Change Group(TASCHA)at theUniversity of Washington Information School explores therole of digital technologies in building more open,inclusive,and equitable societies.TASCHA is a nexus formultidisciplinary

3、 research whose work has helpedinternational organizations,governments,civil societyorganizations,and public libraries in the United States andmore than 50 other countries.Stichting IFLA Global Libraries Foundation(SIGL)is anindependent public benefit foundation established in2016.The objective of t

4、he foundation,which isexclusively charitable and educational,is to empowerlibraries to improve peoples lives and support growth ofsustainable societies.SIGL was established as a Stichting(foundation)to manage the legacy funding from Bill andMelinda Gates Global Libraries Programme.The purposeis to b

5、uild on over 10 years of work in the library field and“leave the library field strong.”We wish to offer particular thanks to the Bill&MelindaGates Foundation,whose generous support has madethis work possible.IFLA is grateful to Stichting IFLA Global Libraries,whosecontributions made IFLAs work on th

6、e report possible.Table of ContentsForeword by Vicki McDonald.4Foreword by Glria Prez-Salmern.5Introduction.6Executive Summary.10Data shows struggle to meet commitments in2030 Agenda.14The role of information and its contribution to development in AfricaDr Byamugisha Chapter.30The Role of Open Acces

7、s to Research in Delivering DevelopmentMelissa Hagemann Chapter.40The importance of ensuring access to information for sustainable developmentDave Banisar Chapter.44Libraries,access to information and artificial intelligences in Latin America and the CaribbeanAriel Vercelli Chapter.53Public Librarie

8、s and the sustainable development goalsDavid Donohue Chapter.62Development and Access to Information Pr Lawrence Surendra Chapter.67Conclusion and Postscript.75Biographies.763Welcome to the 2024 Development and Access toInformation report.The report comes just after the half-way point in the UnitedN

9、ations 2030 Agenda,providing an opportunity to look backon how well the world is doing against the SustainableDevelopment Goals,and importantly prompts a refocus ofefforts.It is apparent that success is far from guaranteed.The needto mobilise all factors and all actors is clear.The reportunderlines

10、that progress towards access to information isuneven and incomplete,with advances in internetconnectivity not matched by those in equity or rights.This report highlights the need for a renewed focus onknowledge and information for all,not least in the Pact forthe Future due to be agreed in September

11、.As in the previous editions,I acknowledge that this is theopportunity to share insights from experts outside of thelibrary field.I chose Stronger Together as the theme of myIFLA Presidency.I see a key element of this ambition is howwe work more effectively with our friends,allies,andeveryone who al

12、so understands the power of knowledge todeliver positive change.I am grateful to all those who have contributed to makingthis a real example of partnership,focused on buildingunderstanding of why we need to focus on providingmeaningful access to information for all.And of course,then,why a strong,br

13、oad and effective library field matters.I also extend my gratitude to Stichting IFLA Global Libraries,whose financial support made this report possible.4Foreword by Vicki McDonaldIFLA President 2023-2025Foreword by Glria Prez-SalmernWelcome to the 2024 DA2I report!I am very happy to be sharing this

14、latest edition of theDevelopment and Access to Information report with you,made possible through support from Stichting IFLA GlobalLibraries(SIGL).The Report is a valuable part of efforts to deliver on themission of SIGL to leave the library field stronger.Throughour grant-making,we work to make it

15、possible to achievemore,realising their potential as a global network.Of course,this isnt just something that matters for libraries,but for the world as a whole!In my term as IFLA President,Ichose the theme Libraries,motors of change,based on myconviction and my experience that libraries can beaccel

16、erators of progress in our communities and societies.This is because of the power of information and access toit in enabling sustainable development.Importantly,this is not something that can be taken forgranted!Information has always been crucial forcommunication,innovation,and enabling better deci

17、sion-making at all levels.And it is only becoming more important,as digitaltechnologies take a growing role in our lives,as the need forinnovation to address global challenges increases,and asthe time left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goalsshrinks.I hope that this report will support libra

18、ries globally,and atall levels,in underlining both the importance of ensuringmeaningful access to all,but also in setting out how vitalthey are in achieving this.5Former IFLA President 2017-2019IntroductionThis report is the third in the series of Development and Access to Information(DA2I)Reports,p

19、roduced by the International Federation of LibraryAssociations and Institutions in partnership with the Technology and SocialChange Group at the University of Washington.As was the case in previouseditions,IFLAs work is here is made possible by the support provided byStichting IFLA Global Libraries.

20、This report comes out just under 10 years on from the Lyon Declaration1,signed by over 250 organisations globally,which underlined the importance ofaccess to information for development.The Declaration urged decision-makers to recognise how essential information and knowledge are for progresstowards

21、 any policy goal including of course what would become the 2030Agenda.It also stressed crucially that access to information and knowledgeis not something that can be taken for granted.A concerted,coordinatedapproach is needed,mobilising all relevant actors not least libraries.In some ways,this messa

22、ge clearly found its way into the text agreed by Headsof State and Government in September 20152.Twenty of the 169 targetsestablished in the Sustainable Development Goals framework directly orindirectly refer to some aspect of access to information.There is,in effect,astrong instruction to governmen

23、ts at all levels,as well as other stakeholders,to take this seriously.Yet in other ways,the Framework falls short,not providing a clear means ofassessing how close we are to delivering on the promise of meaningful andinclusive access to information.Without this,inevitably,attention risks beingfocuse

24、d elsewhere,with the risk of addressing the symptoms rather than oneof the key causes of slow,unsustainable and/or unbalanced development.1 https:/www.lyondeclaration.org/2 United Nations(2015),Transforming our World:the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,https:/sdgs.un.org/2030agenda6This is t

25、he task that the DA2I initiative takes on,using a basket of indicatorswhich help track progress across the four pillars of access to informationidentified:connectivity,equity,skills and rights.This selection,explained more fully in the introduction to the originalreport3,critically seeks to underlin

26、e that access to information is more thanjust the practical possibility of getting online,but also the rights,socialcontext and skills to make the most of it.In other words,internet access is anecessary,but absolutely not a sufficient condition for individuals andcommunities to have the information

27、and knowledge they need.Technologicalsolutions are not enough on their own,and a focus uniquely on these will notlead to success.Progress towards access to information,as understood here,is where internetconnectivity and other possibilities to discover knowledge can be turned intoreal development ou

28、tcomes.This happens because there are the skills tounderstand,use and create,the rights to read and to express yourself,and thepossibility for all members of societies to benefit and engage.So where do we stand,halfway through the 2030 Agenda?The clearconclusion coming from the DA2I indicators is no

29、t where we should be.Impressive progress in bringing more people online in many areas particularly,in lower-middle income countries.However,we are still far fromuniversal connectivity,and moreover forward steps here have not beenmatched by progress on ensuring rights or equity.Advances towards gende

30、requality have stalled,and there are worrying trends on civil,political andinternet freedoms.Indeed,the data chapter paints a picture of a world where the promise oftechnological tools for internet access is simply not being delivered.Instead,failures to address inequalities mean that women and othe

31、rs continue to enjoyfewer opportunities,while governments and other groups are more likely torestrict what people can do with information.3 Garrido,M.&Wyber,S.Eds.(2017)Development and Access to Information.International Federation of LibraryAssociations and Institutions:The Hague,https:/da2i.ifla.o

32、rg/da2i-report-2017/7In other words,short-term thinking,a failure to invest seriously in upholdingrights,and illiberal impulses around information and knowledge risk becomingblockers.What will allow for progress here,in contrast,is a more coherent,complete approach to access to information that inco

33、rporates action onequity,rights and sills.Our other chapters two global focused on questions around open scienceand open government,and four regional perspectives from Sub-SaharanAfrica,Europe,Asia-Oceania and Latin America and the Caribbean echo andbuild on this insight.They all underline deep conc

34、ern about the state of progress towards theSustainable Development Goals at their halfway point.Moreover,whilelooking at the question of the place of access to information in the 2030Agenda from very different angles,they all emphasise similar solutions:a needto step back and invest in the legal and

35、 practical infrastructures necessary foreveryone to turn the possibility of access to information into real life changes.While it may be no surprise that this report(given its coordinators)highlightsthat libraries represent just such a practical infrastructure,it remains powerfulto see recognition o

36、f this by a wide range of experts,coming from verydifferent geographical and professional perspectives.With over 2.5 million institutions worldwide,libraries have a strong trackrecord of delivering meaningful access to information,from local communitiesto within the United Nations itself.Moreover,wi

37、th a focus on delivering on theneeds for their communities and the individuals that make them up,they bringa rights-based,long-term focus to their work,as well as the flexibility requiredto leave no-one behind.Yet their potential too often remains unrealised dueto a variety of(often easy to resolve)

38、factors4.The different chapter authors therefore set out the case,eloquently andpersuasively,for updating perceptions of libraries,looking to integrate themfully into development planning,and activate their potential.In doing so,governments and stakeholders at all levels will help accelerate a trend

39、 insidethe library field to focus ever more strongly on the positive impacts librariesand librarians can have on societies.4 IFLA(2024),Trend Report Update 2023,https:/repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/32338Despite the worrying even alarming situation today,there areopportunities.There is a stron

40、g focus on the importance of knowledge in thefirst draft of the Pact for the Future,which has the mission to redefine how themultilateral system goes about achieving its goals.Depending on whathappens in the months leading up to its agreement and subsequently in itsimplementation the Pact could lead

41、 to a renewed focus on information andknowledge,and how to ensure that it is not only accessed,but also applied inorder to deliver change.In this the UN can lead the way for its Member States,and in turn societies and communities everywhere.This report,hopefully,will support advocacy by all those wh

42、o want to see thishappen,and so for meaningful access to information to realise its potential asan essential development accelerator.9The 2024 edition of the Development and Access to Information Report comessoon after the half-way point in the implementation of the United Nations2030 Agenda for Sus

43、tainable Development,and in the context of thepreparation of the Summit for the Future.As such,it is both a chance to look back at trends to date,but also to lookahead at the place of access to information in both the drive to deliver on theAgenda,and more broadly to deliver on the potential of the

44、multilateralsystem as a force for security and progress.Following the model of the two previous editions,the Report provides anassessment of progress towards the goal of providing meaningful access toinformation for all as an essential enabler of development.This comes bothfrom the perspective of th

45、e set of indicators tracked by the DA2I project sinceit was first developed in 2016,as well as that of experts from wide range ofgeographical and professional backgrounds.Across these contributions,the core message is that progress on internetaccess is far from being matched by progress in turning t

46、his into real-worlddevelopment outcomes.Far too often,people have the technology,but do nothave the skills,or legal or social possibilities to make the most of the internetand the information and knowledge it can offer.Addressing this will take a renewed effort to invest in all the steps of the cycl

47、ethat connects knowledge and information and change at the global,regional,national,local and individual levels.A common theme is the role of libraries and library and information professionals in this.Executive Summary10The report is made up of the following chapters:The Introduction provides a ref

48、resher on the framework that underpins theDevelopment and Access to Information report.It highlights the contrastbetween the many references to access to information and knowledge in the2030 Agenda,and the lack of a clear means of measuring progress towardsthis.The DA2I report helps to fill this gap

49、 in our understanding of thissituation,while concerted approaches to enabling access not least throughactivating libraries offer a means of helping to ensure that access toinformation accelerates development.The Data Chapter 1 is prepared by Maria Garrido and Doug Parry of theUniversity of Washingto

50、n Information School,United States and MatiasCenteno of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology,Argentina.Thisoffers a snapshot of where the DA2I basket of indicators stand at the halfwaypoint in the 2030 Agenda.There has been major progress in bringing peopleonline in lower-middle income

51、countries,but less so in the poorest.Moreworryingly,there is little if any progress towards gender equality,andprotection for civil,political and online rights has been more likely to declinethan improve.In short,while a positive scenario is possible,this is far from thecase for many,undermining the

52、 potential to turn access into change.Thechapter also points to the DA2I regional reports,which allow readers to divemuch further into specific national and regional trends.The chapter by Dr Albert Byamugisha focuses on access to information in Sub-Saharan Africa,and in particular Uganda.He sets out

53、 the many different waysin which access to information can support development,and how theUgandan government has sought to take a joined-up approach to making surethat this happens.The chapter highlights the work of libraries in particular,while arguing that more still can be done in the region,both

54、 to activatelibraires and ensure that technology brings benefits to all.1The Technology&Social Change Group(TASCHA)at the University of Washington Information School explores therole of digital technologies in building more open,inclusive,and equitable societies.TASCHA is a nexus formultidisciplinar

55、y research whose work has helped international organizations,governments,civil society organizations,andpublic libraries in the United States and more than 50 other countries.11Dr Ariel Vercellis chapter looks at the situation in Latin America and theCaribbean.She too echoes the message that there i

56、s great potential fortechnology to enable change,but that this cannot be taken for granted.Indeed,a failure to act could lead to concentrations of information and datawhich risk disadvantaging regions like Latin America and the Caribbean andtheir populations.What is needed,rather,is an approach to i

57、nformationgovernance focused on community needs and ownership,with libraries havinga strong role to play.Ambassador David Donohue offers the European perspective in his article,drawing on his experience in negotiating the original 2030 Agenda.He draws astrong line between information and knowledge a

58、nd success in delivering theSDGs,both individually and collectively,as well as in engaging people in theirdelivery.Libraries in Europe,he notes,can make a wide variety ofcontributions,from supporting better policy making to helping ensure that no-one is left behind.Dr Lawrence Surendra discusses the

59、 situation in Asia-Oceania,setting out howthe region can still seize the potential of better use of knowledge andinformation as accelerators of development,while being realistic about whatcan be achieved through technology alone.Furthermore,even wherefavourable laws are in place they are too often u

60、ndermined in theirimplementation.Finally,he calls strongly for a fundamentally differentapproach to use of knowledge in the UN and government,with partnershipswith knowledge institutions offering a powerful way forwards.Melissa Hagemann offers a global perspective,focused on how progress onopen scie

61、nce contributes to the wider goal of the DA2I initiative by working togenerate an accessible and relevant research commons.However,a healthy,inclusive and high-performing open science ecosystem is not a given,and inparticular needs a strong focus on ensuring that everyone is able toparticipate,that

62、there are community-led infrastructures,and that there aretools for upholding quality.Work on open science,too,benefits from being awider strategy for access to information for development.12Finally,Dave Banisar looks at the access to information from the perspectiveof possibilities to view and use

63、information held by governments andcompanies.He sets out how this can support the achievement of a wide rangeof other policy goals,as well the right to participate more broadly in publiclife.Key threats include a slowing of progress in passing and enforcing right to information laws,a failure to ext

64、end obligations to major privatesector actors,and under-investment in gathering statistics and otherinformation in the first place.Once again,effort to address these will be morepowerful still in the context of a wider strategy on access to information.13Data shows struggle to meetcommitments in 203

65、0 AgendaMaria Garrido&Doug Parry,University of Washington Information School,USAMatias Centeno,National Institute of Agricultural Technology,Argentina Daniel Rekshan,Data Systems Developer,USA.In our quest for more socially and economically inclusive societies,the right ofaccess to information looms

66、 large.The contemporary age offers unparalleledopportunities to harness the power of information exchange,creation,and use toaddress poverty,inequality,and myriad other societal challenges.Yet,the pursuit ofan inclusive information society faces multifaceted challenges that hinder progresstowards a

67、sustainable and resilient global path.Deep-seated social and economicdisparities pose significant obstacles to inclusive connectivity,digital literacy,andaffordable technology access.Additionally,emerging and dynamic challenges suchas security and privacy concerns,the proliferation of misinformation

68、 anddisinformation,and restrictions on freedom of expression,association,and politicalrights around the world further complicate the landscape.In this complex context,the imperative to safeguard and promote the right to information for all is moreurgent than ever before.Central to our exploration is

69、 the recognition that access to information extendsbeyond mere availability.A rights-based approach emphasizes not only access butalso the ability to comprehend,utilize,and disseminate information effectively.Thisholistic perspective underscores the interconnectedness of human rights and thepivotal

70、role of information in advancing societal progress.We argue that the right toinformation affects all other rights as well,for human rights are all interdependentand indivisible.In the third edition of the Development and Access to Information report,weexamine the evolution of meaningful information

71、access halfway through the UN2030 Development Agenda.Information access is a fundamental driver of many ofthe goals in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,yet manycountries are struggling to make progress.Statistical indicators of freedom andgender equity two pillars of meaningful

72、 access to information show decline andstagnation midway through the Agenda put forth in 2015.Meaningful access to information:“The rights and capacity to use,create and share information in ways that are meaningful to each individual,community or organization.”14Summary of findings at midpoint of t

73、he UN 2030 Agenda:Connectivity,Gender,and FreedomOur analysis tracks the progress of 29 selected indicators of social developmentfrom the adoption of the UN Agenda in 2015 to 2022 or the most recent availabledata.The data shows that while most countries have steadily brought more peopleonline,progre

74、ss towards gender equity has been meager,particularly in low-incomecountries,and freedom and human rights have regressed.More of the world is online:Sixty percent of the world was online in 2022,compared with 40 percent in 2015.Across all regions,there has beensignificant progress in connectivity in

75、dicators,with the most substantialgains from Northern African,Southern Asian and Western Asian countries.There is little progress on gender equity:On the surface,data shows a slightimprovement in many gender equity indicators across the globe since 2015;however,two important caveats are needed to co

76、ntextualize these findings.First,most data on gender equity indicators is from 2020 or older,with fewcountries reporting data for 2021 or 2022.Secondly,progress is stillinadequate.For example,though womens participation in science andpolitics has increased globally,its only a 1 and 2 percentage poin

77、t increase,respectively.Freedom is on the decline:Civil and political freedoms have decreased inmost regions,notably in North Africa,Southeast Asia,and Southern Asia,with civil rights such as freedom of expression and association experiencingthe greatest decline.Political pluralism and governmental

78、effectivenesshave also diminished.In the Freedom in the World scores,102 countriesscored lower in 2022 compared to 2015,while only 28 countries sawimprovement.Global internet freedom mirrored this trend,with 45 out of70 countries scoring lower and only 21 showing improvement.The mostsignificant decl

79、ines in internet freedom occurred in regions where politicaland civil freedoms have deteriorated.15Explore the data in the DA2iRegional DashboardsMethodology:We compared baseline data from 2015 with data from 2022 orthe latest available,weighted by countrys population.The analysis is presentedby inc

80、ome group(using the World Bank categories),region(from the UN SDGsregional groupings),and finally down to a country level where data is available.We use select indicators in this chapter to paint a picture of the progress(orlack thereof)towards inclusive connectivity and meaningful access toinformat

81、ion.Our analysis is limited in some cases because many countries lackupdated data,particularly for gender equity indicators.16ConnectivityThe Connect2030 agenda established a set of targets for internet populationand households with internet access.We use that as a benchmark to measureprogress for t

82、his set of indicators.In 2022,roughly 60%of the worlds population used the internet,a dramaticincrease from 40%in 2015.But note that context is important when assessingthese numbers.All regions except Southern Asia,South-Eastern Asia,Oceania,and Sub-Saharan Africa have achieved Target 1.2:“By 2023,i

83、n the developingworld,70%of individuals worldwide will be using the internet.”Less than athird of people in Sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania are online,and overall,2.7billion people remain offline.Technology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:ITU,2022CONNECTIVITY|PROGRESS FROM 2015-202

84、217 Internet population growth:Key highlights1.Northern Africa,Southern Asia,SoutheastAsia,and Western Asia experienced thehighest growth in internet populationbetween 2015 and 2022.Southern Asia,Southeast Asia,Sub-Saharan Africa,and Oceania will notachieve Target 2.3:“By 2023,in thedeveloping world

85、,60%of individuals willbe using the internet.”Lower-middle-income countriesexperienced the most progress in internetpopulation growth.Technology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:ITU,2022181.2 Countries with the most and least progress in internet population growth44 countries are b

86、ehind Target 2.3:“By 2023,inthe developing world,60%of individuals will beusing the internet.”35/46 least developed countries are behindtarget Target 2.4:“By 2023,in the leastdeveloped countries,30%of individuals will beusing the internet.”Most growth in internet populationLeast growth in internetpo

87、pulationTechnology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:ITU,20222 billionStill offline 192.Affordability of mobile broadband as a percentage of monthly income:Key highlights Target 2.6 states that by 2030,broadband costshould not be higher than 3%of monthly income.Allregions have achie

88、ved this benchmark except forOceania,where the cost of mobile broadbandrepresents 6.4%of monthly income,and Sub-Saharan Africa,where it represents 9%.Sub-Saharan African countries experienced thebiggest drop in mobile broadband as a percentage ofincome:from 16%to 9%as a regional average.However,desp

89、ite notable strides in reducing mobilebroadband costs,the region is still home tocountries with the highest mobile broadband costsglobally.WorldDeveloped RegionsCaucasus&Central AsiaEastern AsiaLatinAmerica&theCaribbeanNorthernAfricanOceaniaSouthern AsiaSouthernEasternAsiaSub-Saharan Africa WesternA

90、sia4%1%2.1%1%3.1%1.2%6%1.6%1.1%1.5%1%16%9%4%2%.7%1.9%.5%2%.9%6.4%20152022Target 2.6 Connect 2030:By 2023,broadband mobile services should not cost more than 3%of monthly income1.8%Mobile broadband cost as a percent of GNI per capitacountries are behind Target2.6,including 32 of 45 countriesin Sub-Sa

91、haran Africa.59of monthly income is the costof mobile broadband in Congo,Guinea Bissau,and the CentralAfrican Republic30%Technology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:ITU,202220Gender EquityProgress on gender equity remains limited.While data suggests a modestimprovement in many gend

92、er equity indicators worldwide since 2015,two keyconsiderations are necessary for a comprehensive understanding:GENDER EQUITY|PROGRESS FROM 2015-2022Technology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:ITU,2022;UNESCO,2022;World Bank,2022Images:FThe majority of data on gender equity indicat

93、ors is from 2020 or earlier,withlimited reporting for 2021 or 2022,thus providing an incomplete assessment of thepandemics impact and progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 5,achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.1.Advancements remain insufficient;for instance,while wom

94、ens participation inscience and politics has marginally increased on a global scale,the increments aremerely 1 and 2 percentage points,respectively.2.212.1 Gender digital equity The world is behind achieving the Connect 2030Target 2.8,which aims to achieve gender equality ininternet usage and mobile

95、 phone ownership by 2023.In Latin America and the Caribbean,more womenthan men are using the internet,making it the onlyregion to achieve gender parity in internet use.In low-income countries,4 out of every 5 womenwere still offline as of 2022.Gender digital divide by regionGender digital divideNo d

96、ata available for Oceania.Technology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:ITU,2022Developed RegionsCaucasus&Central AsiaEastern AsiaLatin America&theCaribbean87%85%7%7%82%81%11%13%93%91%11%9%71%73%11%15%Northern Africa 72%66%25%23%Southern Asia 27%18%3%3%Southern-Eastern Asia 57%51%28%

97、26%Sub-Saharan Africa17%12%3%1%Western Asia84%73%10%19%Internet population by sex,2022Percentage change,.2 Employment,training,and educational opportunitiesfor young peopleCreating an enabling environment where women and menhave an equal standing in the labor market directlyimpacts the p

98、otential for economic growth,combatsdifferent forms of inequality,and allows for moreequitable social development.The global proportion of youth not in education,employment,or training(NEET)has risen by almost 3%.While the increase for young women was smaller at 1%compared to nearly 3%for young men

99、since 2015,youngwomen are three times as likely to be NEET as young men.31%31%52%2%WorldDeveloped RegionsYoung people not in education,employment or training,%Caucasus&Central AsiaEastern AsiaLatinAmerica&theCaribbeanNorthernAfricanOceaniaSouthern AsiaSouthernEasternAsiaSub-Saharan Africa

100、 WesternAsia1%1%1%11%10%1%1%16%23%1%1%14%24%17%30%2%5%18%37%2%1%2%1%29%33%14%23%1%4%1%5%16%48%4%2%18%26%4%18%45%1%NEET Male NEET Female%Change 2015-2022Technology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:ILO,202223FreedomFreedom Houses Freedom in the World index measures progress in politi

101、cal rightsand civil liberties worldwide.It evaluates rights such as those to electoralparticipation and government accountability,and civil liberties,such as freedom ofexpression and freedom of assembly.Civil and political freedoms have diminished worldwide,with notable declines inregions including

102、North Africa,Southeast Asia,and Southern Asia.The decline in civilrights,particularly freedom of expression and association,is accompanied by adecrease in political pluralism and effective governance.In 2022,120 countriesscored lower on the Freedom in the World index compared to 2015,while only 51sh

103、owed improvement.A similar trend is observed in global internet freedom,with 45out of 70 countries scoring lower and only 21 improving.These declines in internetfreedom are most significant in regions experiencing erosion of political and civilliberties.FREEDOM IN THE WORLD|PROGRESS FROM2015-2022Tec

104、hnology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:Freedom House,202224The Freedom in the World score measures freedom ona scale from 0 to 100,with 0 representing lessfreedom and 100 representing more freedom.Between 2015 and 2022,the global average freedomscore decreased from 52 to 48 point

105、s,indicating asignificant decline.In total,120 countries scored lower in 2022 comparedto 2015,whereas only 51 countries scored higher.Southern Asia,Eastern Asia,and Northern Africaexperienced the biggest declines in freedoms over thisperiod.3.Freedom in the WorldWorldDeveloped RegionsCaucasus&Centra

106、l AsiaEastern AsiaLatinAmerica&theCaribbeanNorthernAfricanOceaniaSouthern AsiaSouthernEasternAsiaSub-Saharan Africa WesternAsia522072420205775650675638372221More Free1000Less Free51countries showed increasingfreedom scores from countries showed decliningfreedom scor

107、es from 2015-2022Freedom in the World scores,by regionTechnology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:Freedom House,202225-35-30-25-20-15-10-50NicaraguaTanzaniaTurkeyHong KongBeninVenezuelaSerbiaBurundiEl SalvadorrMyanmar02468101214Sri LankaEcuadorSeychellesSolomon IslandsArmeniaMadaga

108、scarUzbekistanTaiwanJamaicaNepalLess free -More Free3.1 Freedom in the world losses and gains by region and countries-31-29-23-22-22-21-18-18-16-16Countries with biggest losses in freedomCountries with biggest gains in freedom666Largest losses and gains in freedom scores,2015-2022In each

109、region,aside from Oceania,more countries showed declines in freedomscores rather than increases.In the developed regions group,encompassing 46countries,a significant 70%witnessed a decrease in their overall freedom score.Thistrend is particularly concerning,as many of these countries are recognized

110、asmature democracies.Technology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:Freedom House,202226Civil and political freedoms have declined across almost all regions,with North Africa,Southeast Asia,and Southern Asia experiencing particularly pronounced drops.The decline is most notable in civ

111、il rights,particularly in freedom of expression andassociation.Furthermore,there has been a decrease in political pluralism and theeffectiveness of governments worldwide.3.2 Civil and political rightsFreedom scoreCivil rightsPoli?cal rights-6-3-5-8-73-11-11-8-7-7WorldDeveloped RegionsCaucasus&Centra

112、l AsiaEastern AsiaLatinAmerica&theCaribbeanOceaniaSouthern AsiaSouthernEasternAsiaSub-Saharan Africa WesternAsia-7NorthernAfrican-8-7Largest losses and gains in civil and political rights 2015-2022,by region3.3 Freedom on the NetGlobal internet freedom declined in 2022 for the12th consecutive year.O

113、f the 70 countries where Freedom Housemeasures Freedom on the Net,45 showeddeclining scores since 2015.Only 21 countriesshowed improvement in their score in the sameperiod.The steepest drops in internet freedom wereconcentrated in the same regions where politicaland civil freedoms have been eroded.N

114、orthern Africa,Southeast Asia,and SouthernAsia experienced the biggest losses in internetfreedom.21countries showed increasing internetfreedom scores from countries showed declining internetfreedom scores from WorldDeveloped RegionsCaucasus&Central AsiaEastern AsiaLatinAmerica&

115、theCaribbeanNorthernAfricanOceaniaSouthern AsiaSouthernEasternAsiaSub-Saharan Africa WesternAsia47206464775848675653503631More Free1000Less Free5444Notenough data No Data Freedom on the Net scores,by regionLosses and gains in Freedom on the Net,by regionAcross nearly every regi

116、on,more countries showed declines in Freedom on the Netscores rather than increases.Technology&Social Change Group,University of WashingtonSource:Freedom House,202228-20-15-10-50MyanmarVenezuelaUgandaEgyptKyrgyz Rep.RwandaIndiaIndonesiaAzerbaijanCambodia05101520GambiaEthiopiaUzbekistanSyriaCanadaIra

117、n Rep.CubaUnited KingdomBahrainFrance Less free More freeLargest losses and gains in Freedom on the Net,2015-2022Countries with biggest losses in Freedom on the NetCountries with biggest gains in Freedom on the NetAs TASCHA and IFLA wrote in their 2019 DA2i report,“Meaningful access toinformation is

118、 essential for the empowerment of individuals,the effectiveness ofpolicies,and the accountability of governments.When everyone can enjoy it,it is adriver of sustainable development across all of its dimensions.When it is absent,insufficient or unequal,opportunities are missed,decisions are poorer,an

119、d progressis stifled.”Midway through the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,keyindicators show that the world is falling short of its goals.While we are on track toachieve connectivity for most of the planet by 2030,this connectivity is coming at atime when measurements of gender equ

120、ity have stagnated.It also comes at a timewhen civil and political freedoms are declining,stifling free and meaningful access toinformation.Conclusion-20-15-15-13-13-12-11-10-9-929Dr Byamugisha ChapterPrepared byAlbert Byamugisha,Ph.D.Senior Technical Advisor/Head SDG SecretariatSDG Secre

121、tariat|Office of the Prime Minister30The role of information and itscontribution to development in Africa:Ugandas PerspectiveIntroductionThere are many definitions for information,but generally information means theknowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or circumstance.To ha

122、ve meaningful access to information,one must be able to identify,retrieve,anduse it effectively.Information is a source of power and influence;without it,one isakin to being blind(Hwang&Jeong,2023;Dosso,et al.,2023).Information systemsand technologies have almost reached commodity-like status,becomi

123、ng asubiquitous and significant as labour and other traditional factors of production(Sigov,et al.,2022;Nair,et al.,2021).The phrases that“knowledge is power”and“information is power”have becomecommon idioms(Boumis&Dean,2023).Around the world,knowledge is power,andinformation is vital to development

124、;in Africa in particular,it has emerged as apotent instrument for advancement in a number of fields.Information is crucial fordevelopment,fuelling communication,decision-making,and innovation.Itsparticularly important in the globalised world and can accelerate progress towardsthe United Nations Sust

125、ainable Development Goals(SDGs).Today,the UN considers high-speed internet(broadband)a basic human right(Kelly&Satola,2023;Graber,2023).Of course,progress towards qualityeducation is a key SDG,and ICTs are powerful tools for improving informationaccess and quality and subsequently for improving educ

126、ation.However,asignificant connectivity gap exists in many countries,including Uganda,between cities and rural areas(Seuyong,2023).Therefore,it can be deducedthat despite their potential,ICTs havent fully reached these areas,hinderingtheir contribution to education and other SDGs.Overall,information

127、 and ICTs are essential for development,but closing thedigital divide is crucial to ensure everyone benefits from their potential(Deganis,et al.,2021;Zhao,et al.,2023).Although major tech companies areinvesting heavily in information technology,shaping the global landscape andimpacting development,A

128、frica still faces challenges in accessing information,particularly in sub-Saharan regions with limited internet access.31As noted above,information is increasingly recognized as a critical driver ofsustainable development,playing a crucial role in achieving the SustainableDevelopment Goals adopted b

129、y the United Nations in 2015.For example,it has improved decision making for poverty reduction(SDG 1)inareas such as:1.Environment and climate change:Monitoring and prediction:Data analysis and Earth observationtechnologies can provide valuable insights into climate changepatterns,deforestation,and

130、other environmental challenges(IPCC,2022).Disaster risk reduction:Early warning systems and informationsharing can help communities prepare for and respond tonatural disasters more effectively,as demonstrated by the UNOffice for Disaster Risk Reductions work(UNDRR,2023).2.Governance and transparency

131、:Open data and e-government:Open access to government dataand online platforms can increase transparency,accountability,and citizen participation in decision-making processes,as arguedin a World Bank(2022)report.Combating corruption:Information and communicationtechnologies can be used to track publ

132、ic funds,monitoractivities,and expose corrupt practices(TransparencyInternational,2023).The role of information in achieving the worlddevelopment agenda321.Mobile Money and financial inclusion:The rise of fintechs in Uganda hasseen the rise of platforms such as Mobile Money on MTN Uganda,Wave,School

133、 Pay,and Airtel Money.This allows access to financial services,facilitates business transactions,and bolsters economic activity(Asongu&Nwachukwu,2016).2.E-commerce and market access:Online platforms connect Africanproducers directly to consumers,bypassing intermediaries and expandingmarket reach(Wor

134、ld Bank,2023).An example of such is Jumia Uganda,whichis based on Jumia Nigeria.This empowers farmers,artisans,and smallbusinesses to compete globally and generate higher income(Aker&Mbiti,2010).The picture below is an example.3.Education and learning:Information technology opens access toeducationa

135、l resources and online learning platforms(UNESCO,2023).Thisimproves educational attainment,expands the knowledge base,andempowers individuals to pursue further education and career opportunities(Trucano,2013).In Uganda,almost all universities have some form of onlinelearning platform.Specific cases

136、for Uganda334.Health care and public health:Telemedicine and mobile healthapplications allow health-care professionals to reach remote areas,improvediagnosis and treatment,and provide vital information on disease preventionand public health campaigns(World Health Organization,2020).Uganda ishome to

137、Rocket Health Uganda,which is a telemedicine service provider.Inthe picture below,a man is delivering medicine to a patient in a rural area inUganda.5.Empowering women and girls:Information access empowers women andgirls through access to education,financial services,and awareness abouttheir rights

138、and opportunities(UN Women,2023).Mobile camps bring ICT skillstraining to communities in Uganda,promoting gender equality andcontributing to overall social development(GSMA,2019).Source:https:/ commitment from the government to use information fordevelopment,as seen in the creation of a national ICT

139、 programmedelivering a range of policy goals and a dedicated SDG Secretariat tocoordinate,monitor,and evaluate SDGs in the country.2.Multistakeholder approach:Working together with localgovernment agencies,the commercial sector,and civil societyorganizations guarantees a wider range of viewpoints.3.

140、Emphasis on communication and raising awareness:Projects suchas the Tondeka Mabega campaign and the provision of educationalmaterials aid in increasing public knowledge of the SDGs.4.Expanded coverage of mobile networks:Its good to see a rise inbroadband access and mobile phone subscriptions.Notwith

141、standing the potential created by information access,numerous obstacles still exist,including:1.Digital divide:As the ITUs Measuring Digital Development reportpoints out,unequal access to technology and internet connectivitycan worsen preexisting inequities and limit opportunities formarginalized po

142、pulations(ITU,2023).2.Data privacy and security:As the World Economic Forums GlobalRisks Report emphasizes,worries about data privacy and securitymight impede the exchange and utilization of data for developmentobjectives(WEF,2023).3.Lack of a national framework for digital literacy:According toUNES

143、COs Global Education Monitoring Report,the impact of digitalinterventions may be limited by a lack of skills and expertise to useinformation technology effectively(UNESCO,2023).Strengths of the Uganda strategy Challenges35Libraries:architects of progress onUgandas SDG journey?Bridging the informatio

144、n gap:Empowering communities:Driving sustainable solutions:Libraries,which are frequently underappreciated,act as quiet leaders inUgandas quest for growth and accomplishment of the SustainableDevelopment Goals.They play a crucial role in empowering individuals andcommunities by acting as information

145、,literacy,and innovation hubs,advancing progress towards numerous SDGs.Libraries break down information barriers by providing vital services tounderserved populations.This improves progress towards SDG 4(qualityeducation)by supporting lifelong learning and equipping people with the skillsthey need t

146、o deal with real-world problems(Dada,2016).Libraries are important for SDG 5(gender equality)and SDG 10(reducedinequalities)because they provide safe,inclusive platforms for discourse,skilldevelopment,and community participation(Ashwill&Norton,2015).Womenand marginalised groups benefit the most from

147、 increased access to knowledgeand networks(Abata-Ebire,2018).Libraries help to achieve SDGs 2(zero hunger),3(good health and well-being),and 13(climate action)by curating knowledge on agriculture,health,andenvironmental practices.Using library services,farmers may increase yields,families can receiv

148、e access to critical health information,and communitiescan learn to address environmental concerns(Bradley,2016).36Collaboration is key:ConclusionRecommendationsIFLA,the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions,emphasizes the importance of partnerships between libraries,gove

149、rnment,and NGOs to maximize impact.Initiatives such as EIFLs Public LibraryInnovation Programme offer funding and training to strengthen libraryservices in developing countries like Uganda(IFLA,2023).Information is the foundation of growth,enabling individuals and communitiesto address complicated i

150、ssues and create a better future.Libraries in Ugandaare quietly emerging as development architects,bridging the digital divide,encouraging innovation,and propelling the country towards achievement ofthe Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).They empower individuals and communities by providing importa

151、nt resourcessuch as books and internet access,as well as safe spaces for dialogue and skilldevelopment.Women and other marginalized groups benefit the most.Libraries organize knowledge in crucial areas such as agriculture,health,andenvironmental practices,allowing communities to find long-term solut

152、ions tolocal issues.However,issues such as the digital gap,data privacy concerns,and inadequate new literacy frameworks threaten to limit the influence ofICTs.1.To completely realize the potential of libraries,Uganda must prioritizeaddressing the digital divide,investing in data protection,and devel

153、opingdigital literacy skills.Uganda can use information and ICTs to empower itsinhabitants,accelerate progress towards the SDGs,and create a moresustainable and equitable future by leveraging the power of libraries andtackling obstacles.2.Policymakers should focus on creating an enabling environment

154、 thatencourages investment in information infrastructure and promotes theequitable distribution of its benefits.37ReferencesAbata-Ebire,D.M.(2018).The roles of library and informationservices in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals inNigeria.Library Philosophy and Practice,1(1),1-12.Aker,J.C.

155、,&Mbiti,I.M.(2010).Mobile phones and economicdevelopment in Africa.Journal of Economic Perspectives,24(3),207-232.https:/doi.org/10.1257/jep.24.3.207Ashwill,H.,&Norton,K.(2015).Libraries and the SustainableDevelopment Goals.Library&Information Science Research,38(2),104-111.Asongu,S.A.,&Nwachukwu,J.

156、C.(2016).The role of informationsharing in financial access:Evidence from African countries.Journal of African Business,17(3),315-333.Boumis,J.K.,&Dean,M.(2023).The BRCA1/2 previvorinformation journey:Understanding what helps or hinders.Health Communication,1-13.https:/doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2023.

157、2248677 Bradley,J.(2016).Libraries and the Sustainable DevelopmentGoals.IFLA Journal,42(1),128-134.Dada,A.A.(2016).The role of library and information services inachieving sustainable development:Issues and challenges.EAJournals,20(1),1-10.https:/doi.org/10.37745/ijliss.15/vol9n23040Deganis,I.,Haghi

158、an,P.Z.,Tagashira,M.,&Alberti,A.(2021).Leveraging digital technologies for social inclusion.UnitedNations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.https:/www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/un-desa-policy-brief-92-leveraging-digital-technologies-for-social-inclusion/Dosso,M.,Cassi,L.,&Mesc

159、heba,W.(2023).Towards regionalscientific integration in Africa?Evidence from co-publications.Research Policy,52(1),104630.https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2022.104630Graber,C.B.(2023).Net neutrality:A fundamental right in thedigital constitution?Ind.J.Global Legal Stud.,30,197.https:/doi.org/10.5167/

160、uzh-237472GSMA.(2019).The mobile gender gap report 2019.https:/ exposure andacceptance:The role of information seeking and processing.Health Communication,38(3),585-593.https:/doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.1964187 38International Federation of Library Associations andInstitutions(IFLA).(2018).SDG St

161、orytelling Manualhttps:/repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/19Kelly,M.J.,&Satola,D.(2023).Internet human rights.U.Pa.JL&Soc.Change,26,255.https:/doi.org/10.58112/JLASC.26-3.1Nair,M.M.,Tyagi,A.K.,&Sreenath,N.(2021,January).The futurewith industry 4.0 at the core of society 5.0:Open issues,futureoppo

162、rtunities and challenges Conference paper.In 2021International Conference on Computer Communication andInformatics(ICCCI)(pp.1-7).IEEE.https:/doi.org/10.1109/ICCCI50826.2021.9402498Seuyong,F.T.,Silwal,A.R.,Begazo Gomez,T.P.,Newhouse,D.L.,Ghauran,N.,&Delaure,K.A.I.(2023).The size and distribution ofd

163、igital connectivity gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa.The World Bank.https:/documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/0992400/pdf/IDU0cb2e42f3050260484d0b8370b84eee303ecf.pdfSigov,A.,Ratkin,L.,Ivanov,L.A.,&Xu,L.D.(2022).Emergingenabling technologies for industry 4.0 and beyond.InformationSystems Front

164、iers,1-11.https:/doi.org/10.1007/s10796-021-10213-wTransparency International.(2023).Anti-corruption technology.Retrieved January 15,2024,fromhttps:/www.transparency.org/en/aboutTrucano,M.(2013).The role of ICT in education in Africa:Areview of the evidence and major trends.The Transformation ofEduc

165、ation in Africa(pp.185-205).Springer.UN Women.(2023).Women and digital technologies in Africa.UNWomen UNESCO.(2023).Global education monitoring report summary,2023:technology in education:a tool on whose terms?https:/unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386147United Nations Office for Disaster Risk R

166、eduction(UNDRR).(2023).Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015-2030.https:/www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030World Bank.(2022).Open data policy note.Retrieved January15,2024,fromhttps:/openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/4World Bank.(2023).Afr

167、ica overview:Development news,research,data.World Bank.https:/www.worldbank.org/en/region/afrWorld Health Organization.(2020).Digital Health in Africa:ALandscape Report.World Health OrganizationZhao,Y.,Zhang,T.,Dasgupta,R.K.,&Xia,R.(2023).Narrowing theagebased digital divide:developing digital capab

168、ility throughsocial activities.Information Systems Journal,33(2),268-298.https:/doi.org/10.1111/isj.1240039The Role of Open Access to Research inDelivering DevelopmentMelissa Hagemann ChapterWithin the broader framework of Development and Access to Information,Open Access to Research(OA)aims to make

169、 all scholarly journal articles notonly openly available to read,but to contribute to as well,so as to create aglobal research commons.Today 49%of research published across all fields isopen access.Open access was first defined by the Budapest Open Access Initiative(BOAI)in 2002 as the“free availabi

170、lity on the public internet,permitting any users toread,download,copy,distribute,print,search,or link to the full texts of thesearticles.”A year after the release of the BOAI,the nascent movement beganadvocating for public access to publicly funded research.As predominantly agrassroots movement,nati

171、onal and international coalitions formed,largely ledby library organizations,calling for public access to taxpayer funded research.Such calls resonated with policymakers with national OA policies first beingadopted in 2008.In 2022,the United States Office of Science and TechnologyPolicy issued new g

172、uidelines which will provide free,immediate,and equitableaccess to all federally funded research.This applies to both peer-reviewedpublications as well as underlying scientific data.And last year,the Council ofthe European Union,under the leadership of the Swedish Presidency,calledfor“immediate and

173、unrestricted OA in publishing research involving publicfunds.”In parallel to the development of government policies,private researchfunders are playing a critical role in making their research openly available.Established in 2015,the Open Research Funders Group is a partnership of 26leading philanth

174、ropic organizations committed to the open sharing of researchoutputs.Their members,including the Gates Foundation,the Wellcome Trust,and the Arcadia Fund,are at the forefront of adopting progressive policies andworking with their grantees to ensure that the research they fund is madeopenly available

175、.40However,as highlighted in new recommendations to mark the 20thAnniversary of the BOAI,“OA is not an end in itself,but a means to furtherends.Above all,it is a means to the equity,quality,usability,and sustainabilityof research.”While almost half of all research published is openly available,itwas

176、 never the goal of the founders of the movement to develop new systemsthat would make research openly available to read,while at the same timecreating new barriers for authors to publish.And the barriers to publish,including Article Processing Fees(APCs)and the current academic incentivestructure,ar

177、e not impacting authors evenly.Today there is growingrecognition that OA publishing models that rely on APCs paid by authors areneither equitable nor sustainable.Researchers,including those early in theircareers,as well as those in the Global South,often lack the financial resourcesnecessary to pay

178、APCs,thus making it difficult to publish in APC fundedjournals.However,there is no need to import the troubled APC publishingmodel to the Global South,for many regions,including Latin America,havelong supported non-commercial OA infrastructure through which scientificpublication is managed by academ

179、ic institutions.Indeed,the majority of OAjournals throughout the world do not rely on APCs.Of the roughly 20,000 OAjournals published in 130 countries in 80 languages,approximately 6,500require APCs.The current incentive structure for academic researchers promotes a focus onresearch with limited soc

180、ietal impact and represents another distinct barrierto equitable publishing.The current system relies heavily on the JournalImpact Factor(JIF)as the primary parameter with which to compare thescientific output of individuals and institutions.The myriad problems with theJIF,and the reliance on such m

181、etrics by universities and funding bodies,havecreated barriers to the further adoption of OA.Much energy within the OAcommunity is now focused on developing new incentives which will rewardopenness and transparency.Work in this area is being led by the Declarationon Research Assessment(DORA),the Hig

182、her Education Leadership Initiative(HELIOS),and the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment(CoARA),among others.41The critical role that opening research can play in addressing global challengeswas shown during the pandemic.In the early days of the outbreak of COVID-19,the Wellcome Trust and sci

183、ence leaders from around the world called onpublishers and researchers to make“all peer-reviewed research publicationsrelevant to the outbreak immediately OA,or freely available at least for theduration of the outbreak.”Many have concluded that“OA to COVID-19research quickly became the new normal fo

184、r biomedicine,with availablefindings directly impacting the development of treatment protocols andvaccines.”Following the model that worked well for COVID-19,the OA community hascome together to call for OA to all research on climate science andbiodiversity through the Open Climate Campaign.This mod

185、el could be appliedto other global challenges,specifically those included in the SustainableDevelopment Goals,which are essentially 17 global challenges facinghumanity.Recent research found that while 79%of COVID-19 paperspublished between January 2020 and December 2021 were OA,only 55%ofpapers rela

186、ted to SDGs were openly available during the same time period.Shockingly,45%of research published on climate science and biodiversity arelocked behind paywalls,and as we saw with COVID-19,to address the worldsgreatest challenges,research needs to be open.42Over the past twenty years,OA has contribut

187、ed to unlocking a wealth ofcritical information.Paired alongside steps to improve access to informationfor development,including digital inclusion,library connectivity,skillstraining,and,importantly,progressive copyright reform,the global OAcommunity will continue to play a vital role in sharing kno

188、wledge andempowering societies.43David Banisar ChapterThe importance of ensuring access toinformation for sustainabledevelopmentAt the halfway point of the Sustainable Development Goals,the Goals appearto be faltering across multiple areas and it seems probable that a majority ofthe targets are not

189、going to be achieved in time.There are particular problemswith Goal 16 on“Peace,Justice and Strong Institutions,”which is intended toprovide for improved governance in a cross-cutting manner across all of thegoals.The UN only deems two of the 12 targets in SDG 16 to be progressing,although neither i

190、s likely to be fully achieved by 2030.Surprisingly,butsomewhat deceptively,one of those is access to information.Access to information in the context of sustainable development should bebroadly imagined.It was included in the SDGs because it is considered to be acrucial factor in the achievement of

191、the Goals.As the UN Special Rapporteurfor Freedom of Expression,Irene Kahn,recently wrote,access to informationis a“driver for sustainable development.”1As has been widely recognised internationally,it is the right of individuals tobe able to demand information,data and other recorded materials poss

192、essedby public bodies and some private bodies and the obligation of countries totake necessary measures to ensure this access.This has also been recognisedas an enabler for other social,economic,and cultural rights,including therights to health,education,water,and a healthy environment,and forprotec

193、ted groups including the disabled,women,children and indigenouspopulations.1 UN Office of the High Commissioner.(2023).A/HRC/53/25:Sustainable development and freedom of expression:why voice matters Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinionan

194、d expression.https:/www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc5325-sustainable-development-and-freedom-expression-why-voiceAccess to information for development 44Access to information also includes open access to scientific knowledge andcultural heritage.Finally,access to internet and digital

195、 spaces as means toaccess and share information is recognised as the modern mechanism tofacilitate it,while an active and healthy civil society ensures that there arepeople ready and able to draw on it to ensure accountability.PublicSectorInformationPrivateSectorInformationScientificand CulturalInfo

196、rmationDigital Infrastructure(Connectivity)Civil Society and the Media Crucial for government transparency andaccountability,and so democraticparticipationCrucial for business transparency andaccountability to monitor Global Compact(and other)commitmentsCrucial for creativity and scientificprogress

197、and equitable participation inscientific research/cultural lifeCrucial for people,everywhere to be ableto access information of all typesCrucial for realising the potential of accessto information to lead to meaningfulchangeOne of the most important roles of access to public information is facilitat

198、inginformed and meaningful participation.Disadvantaged communities andindividuals cannot effectively engage on an equal basis if information crucialto their making knowledgeable decisions on how to achieve their needs is notavailable to them.This participation can be limited,for example,when there i

199、sno or low access to modern communications,given their indispensable role inenabling discussion.45Information is also crucial for the accountability of decision-makers;it isnecessary for communities to ensure that resources such as financial support,health care,and educational funds are fairly alloc

200、ated and reaching those whoneed them.It is also key for journalists and civil society organisations toidentify misgovernance,corruption and illicit financial flows that seriouslyhinder development in countries across the world.Much the same can be said about information from businesses,whose actions

201、have a huge impact on the lives of individuals and communities.Meanwhile,access to scientific information is essential to drive development globally,with particular dividends under the right business models to make sciencetruly global in terms of the questions it addresses,the people undertaking it,

202、and those who benefit.In the SDGs,the UN Member States agreed to build in access to information asa mechanism for countries and their peoples to be able to monitor progressfrom top to bottom.Data on progress is collected by national statisticalagencies and international bodies.The UN system collects

203、(or at leastattempts to collect)the data on all the targets and indicators and publishesthem annually.With the cooperation of stakeholders,countries and somesubnational bodies also produce“Voluntary National Reviews,”which arediscussed at the annual High Level Political Forum.The SDGs also commit co

204、untries to ensuring access to information for theirpeople.Target 16.10 specifies that states will“ensure public access toinformation and protect fundamental freedoms,in accordance with nationallegislation and international agreements.”Indicator 16.10.2 monitors the“Number of countries that adopt and

205、 implement constitutional,statutoryand/or policy guarantees for public access to information,”with UNESCOleading on collection and analysis.2 Other targets and indicators monitorrelated issues such as public participation and open budgets,as well as mobileand internet connectivity.Access to informat

206、ion can also be found in othertargets on health and the environment.2 UNESCO.(2022).To recovery and beyond:2021 UNESCO report on public access to information(SDG 16.10.2).https:/unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000380520Uneven progress in establishing access rights in law46The target has been modera

207、tely successful in encouraging countries to adoptlaws.While laws guaranteeing access to(public)information have been inplace for many decades in some northern countries,it was not until the 1990sthat a large number of countries adopted such laws.A major impetus was the1992 Rio Declaration on Environ

208、ment and Development,which called foraccess to information,public participation and access to justice.3 Since2016,more than 20 countries have adopted such laws or policies,with theSDG target likely a factor in at least some of those decisions.3 UN General Assembly.(1992).A/CONF.151/26(Vol.I),Princip

209、le 10.https:/www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/generalassembly/docs/globalcompact/A_CONF.151_26_Vol.I_Declaration.pdf 47Today,136 countries have enacted comprehensive right to information(RTI,also called Freedom of Information or Open Government)laws or nationalregulations,covering

210、 approximately 90 percent of the world population.Around 30 countries have pending legal initiatives.At the same time,manycountries have adopted proactive open data laws and policies to promoteaccess and reuse of data for both accountability and economic development.4 TAP Network.(2023).Halfway to 2

211、030 report on SDG16+.https:/www.sdg16now.org/table-of-contents/#part2 However,the number of countries that have adopted laws has slowedconsiderably in the past few years,and it is unlikely that all of the nearly 60countries that have not adopted laws will have met their commitment toimplement SDG 16

212、.10 by 2030.4A focus solely on access to information held by the public sector is perilouslynarrow.It is necessary to ensure the right of access applies to all key parties inthe global economy,especially large private and state-owned companies.Private bodies hold crucial information about the enviro

213、nmental and humanrights impact of their activities and supply chains.There has been limited progress on information held by private bodies.Ahandful of national RTI laws,mostly in Africa,specifically recognise a right ofaccess to information held by private bodies when it is needed to protectrights.M

214、any countries have laws requiring companies to give the publicinformation on environmental and health risks from the hazardous substancesthey use in their operations.International instruments such as the UN Global Compact also recognise thatthis right should extend to the private sector.After initia

215、lly publishinginformation voluntarily,companies are increasingly being required to collectand publish information on their operations impacts on climate,human rights,and other issues.In some countries,such as Norway,individuals have the rightto demand information from any large domestic or internati

216、onal companyregarding its human rights practices.Looking further,other areas such as open access to scientific knowledge havegained interest in recent years,but action is often focused on conditionalityaround public funding rather than involving the detailed legal structures thatRTI laws have in mos

217、t countries.48 Considering cross-cutting conditions worldwide,ICT access has becomewidespread.An increasing number of countries have recognised it as afundamental human right5 or like Brazil adopted comprehensive laws settingout protections.Meanwhile,there are concerns,as acknowledged by the UNHigh

218、Commission for Human Rights,that legal protections for civil societyorganisations and journalists have been weakened,leaving them less able touse access to information to drive change.5 Borg Psaila,S.(2022,7 September).Right to access the Internet:the countries and the laws that proclaim it.https:/w

219、ww.diplomacy.edu/blog/right-to-access-the-internet-countries-and-laws-proclaim-it/49The indicator for 16.10.2 also calls on states to implement laws or policiesguaranteeing access to information.However,the progress of countriesadopting laws has not translated into access to information fully beinga

220、vailable.It is fair to say that no country is fully open and there are significantbarriers to access to information globally.Among the problems:the laws inmany of countries are inadequate,with excessive exemptions and inadequateappeals mechanisms;6 even if there is good legislation,there often remai

221、ncultures of secrecy that ignore legal obligations;and many bodies lackadequate resources to collect,organise,and disseminate information.In its2021 monitoring report,UNESCO noted problems with recordkeeping andemphasised the need for oversight bodies and networks to promote SDGmonitoring.7 The publ

222、ication requirements for private bodies have not necessarilyincreased public knowledge.Often companies only publish limitedinformation,which often presents an overly positive view,buried deep incorporate reports.Greenwashing making misleading claims ofenvironmentally friendly activities to minimize

223、public criticism is alsocommon.8 This has led to the imposition of greater binding regulations bynational bodies and international ones such as the European Union.Even statistical data is limited in many countries.Due to the COVID-19pandemic,many countries are struggling to maintain their statistics

224、,especiallyrelating to gender and environment and climate.9 A lack of this data willmake progress on the SDGs even more difficult.Data collection for the SDGsitself is quite limited,with a majority of the indicators in SDG 16 only havingpartial coverage.106 Centre for Law and Democracy.(n.d.).The RT

225、I rating.https:/www.rti-rating.org7 UNESCO.(2022).To recovery and beyond:2021 UNESCO report on public access to information(SDG 16.10.2).https:/unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf00003805208 UN High-Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities.(2022).Integrity matters:

226、Net zero commitments by businesses,financial institutions,cities and regions.https:/www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/high-level_expert_group_n7b.pdf9 Open Data Watch.(2023).Open data inventory 2022/23.https:/ TAP Network.Halfway to 2030 report on SDG16+.Ibid.Problems in accessing information in pra

227、ctice50Further,there is a growing trend toward restrictions on civic space across theworld.11 Access by itself is not sufficient.It needs civil society andjournalists to be able to freely gather the information and disseminate it.Communities must be able to discuss it and organise.And it needsmechan

228、isms to ensure that the information can be used to effect change.There are also problems with online access.According to the ITU,more than30 percent of the world population has no access to the internet.Further,there is a significant digital divide regarding access to high-speed internet aswell as s

229、ubstantial gender and age gaps.12 There is also increasing use ofinternet shutdowns,affecting the entire local or even country network inrepressive states,which can substantially impact development,as well ashuman,economic,social,and cultural rights.13 1,200 were reported between2016 and 2023.14 The

230、 shutdowns in 54 countries since 2019 have cost theireconomies an estimated$50 billion.1511 CIVICUS.(2020).CIVICUS monitor:Tracking civic space.https:/www.civicus.org/index.php/what-we-do/innovate/civicus-monitor 12 ITU.(2022).Measuring digital development:Facts and figures 2022.https:/www.itu.int/i

231、tu-d/reports/statistics/facts-figures-2022/13 UN Office of High Commissioner.(2022,13 May).Internet shutdowns:Trends,causes,legal implications andimpacts on a range of human rights.A/HRC/50/55.https:/undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=a%2Fhrc%2F50%2F55 14 Access Now.(2023).Who is shutting down the i

232、nternet in 2023?A mid-year update.https:/www.accessnow.org/publication/internet-shutdowns-in-2023-mid-year-update/#join-us15 Top10VPN.(2023).Government internet shutdowns have cost$50 billion since 2019.https:/ to information is crucial as a tool to promote fairness andaccountability in sustainabili

233、ty.However,much more needs to be done toincorporate it into the SDG framework.Public and private bodies should berequired to make more information and data about their activities availablewith adequate mechanisms to ensure access and accuracy,and to provide thepossibility for people to act on it.Con

234、clusion52Dr.Ariel Vercelli ChapterLibraries,access to information andartificial intelligencesin Latin America and the CaribbeanINHUS-CONICET/FH-UNMdPIntroduction:access to information,digitaltechnologies and developmentIn 2015,the member countries of the United Nations adopted the 2030Agenda for Sus

235、tainable Development and defined 17 goals,known asSustainable Development Goals(SDGs),16 and several indicators aimed atassessing their results.In 2023,the United Nations launched a mid-termassessment of the progress of these goals and,as can be seen in Figure 1,theresults were alarming(UN,2023:8).T

236、he report,citing data as of June 2023,analysed each of the goals and showed that more than half of the worldspopulation is“falling behind.”Although some SDGs have made progress,others show slow progress or even worrying setbacks(poverty,hunger,equality,climate).The report calls for urgent action bef

237、ore the 2030 Agendabecomes a pipe dream or,worse,the epitaph of the world that could havebeen(UN,2023).16The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are global and complementary:1)end poverty;2)zero hunger;3)health andwell-being;4)quality education;5)gender equality;6)clean water and sanitation;7)affordabl

238、e and clean energy;8)decentwork and economic growth;9)industry,innovation and infrastructure;10)reducing inequalities;11)sustainable cities andcommunities;12)responsible production and consumption;13)climate action;14)undersea life;15)life of terrestrialecosystems;16)peace,justice and strong institu

239、tions;and 17)partnerships to achieve the goals(UN,2023).53The poor mid-term results and the world going through a polycrisis(pandemic,climate change and wars)forced UN think tanks to rethink the strategy and beton an intensive use of digital technologies that would allow them to accelerateresults(in

240、frastructure,connectivity,digital literacy).Between 2023 and thebeginning of 2024,several reports and strategic plans were published bydifferent UN agencies in which radical ideas and solutions were proposed tokeep pace with the 2030 Agenda.Specifically,to achieve the SDGs,theseagencies projected th

241、e need to move forward on rapid and effectivetransitions based on(a)universal access to information for all and(b)theintensive use of artificial intelligence(AI).The following sections describe bothproposals and analyse how libraries in Latin America and the Caribbean(LAC)can be allies in achieving

242、the SDGs.The text also presents recommendationsaimed at improving the relationship between libraries,access to information,and AI in LAC.54In our societies information is ubiquitous,transformative and vital to everydaylife.In United Nations documents,it is presented as an indispensablerequirement fo

243、r achieving the SDGs17 and,hence,supremely important tothe right of universal access to information.Indeed,beyond its historicalrecognition as a human right,18 universal access to information is alsodefined as the ability of every person,community or organisation to use,create and share information(

244、IFLA,2017,2019).Its relevance for the UnitedNations can be seen,among others,through the strategic plan of theInformation for All Programme(2023-2029),where its strategic priorities19articulate access to information20 and the 2030 Agenda(IFAP,2023).In turn,the exercise of this right/capacity require

245、s technological infrastructure(telephone,computer,connection),social,legal-political conditions andpersonal/community capacities.In this regard,in LAC,both internetconnectivity(ITU,2023;World Bank,2023)and the number of countries thatprotect universal access to information(UNESCO,2019;ECLAC,2022)hav

246、eincreased.21Universal access to information for all17Goal 16,Peace,justice and strong institutions,Target 10,states,Ensure public access to information and protectfundamental freedoms,in accordance with national legislation and international agreements(UN,2023).18The universal right of access to in

247、formation(freedom of information,right to information,right to know)is part of theright to freedom of expression and is recognised in human rights instruments,including Article 19 of the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights(1948),Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

248、(1966)andArticle 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights(Pact of San Jos)(1969).Specifically,and with similarities in theirwording,it is recognised that the fundamental right to freedom of expression also encompasses the right to seek orreceive information and ideas and to impart them,regardle

249、ss of frontiers,by any means of expression.19IFAP priorities include:1)information for development,2)information literacy,3)information preservation,4)information ethics,5)information accessibility,and 6)multilingualism in cyberspace.The strategic plan understands thatlibraries,archives,museums,etc.

250、,can be allies in bridging information gaps and ensuring effective access to information(IFAP,2023).20IFAP understands that universal access to information can contribute to the SDGs and expresses in its strategic planthat it will focus on the achievement of SDGs 1,4,5,8,9,10,11,16 and 17(IFAP,2023)

251、.21In LAC,the adoption in Escaz,Costa Rica,of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information,Public Participationand Access to Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean(ECLAC,2022)also stands out.Itregulates the rights of access to information on different environmental is

252、sues:among others,natural resources,biodiversity,land,climate change and resilience.55However,beyond these indicators,there are other problems in the regionregarding the link between information and development.Specifically,duringthe COVID-19 pandemic and its preventive isolation measures,it wasobse

253、rved that the increase in connectivity and time online was alsoaccompanied by an unprecedented concentration of information and data22(personal and population)in a handful of technology corporations andnorthern states(Axon Partners Group,2022).These asymmetries onlyincreased in 2023:Information/data

254、 traffic on the internet was dominated byU.S.and Chinese companies(Cloudfare,2023).Only 6 percent of data centresare located in LAC,and for the most part,they belong to northern companies(Minnix,2024).This scenario poses major challenges for the right/capacity ofuniversal access since,beyond LAC gov

255、ernments,these information/dataflows are managed by technology corporations from developed countries.Information/data extractivism23 and its hyper-concentration can deepeninequalities in the region and even paralyse SDG 10.2422Data means a discrete set of information that may,for example,contain num

256、bers,text,images or sounds that,undercertain conditions(control,format,storage,laws,etc.),can be used for analysis,calculation,inference,application ortraining.23Information/data extractivism can be characterised as the collection,processing,archiving and overexploitation of theonline lives of users

257、 of technological devices(computers,mobile phones,smart TVs,video game consoles,etc.)bytechnology corporations and states.Everything of current or future value is extracted:information,personal/populationdata,browsing routines,preferences,consumption,meta-and macro-data,images,goods and intellectual

258、 works.Digitalextractivism,like material/environmental extractivism,is characterised as predatory,compulsive,illegal(or para-legal),inviolation of human rights and with unforeseen consequences for democracies(Vercelli,2021).24Goal 10,Reduce inequality within and between countries,Target 2,states By

259、2030,empower and promote thesocial,economic and political inclusion of all,irrespective of age,sex,disability,race,ethnicity,origin,religion or economicor other status(UN,2023).First recommendation:The right/capability of universal access toinformation,in addition to the public information managed b

260、y the States,should also reach the private-public-comunity data managed bytechnology corporations.It should be complemented,as appropriate,bythe human right to protection of personal and population data.56Artificial intelligences are generating profound changes in our societies.Theyhave been part of

261、 our daily lives for years:they are omnipresent,powerful,opaque and often invisible to the human eye(Vercelli,2023).AI are drivingradical changes in information/data access and knowledge management(AIAdvisory Body,2023).Machine learning makes it possible to train AI fromalgorithms and data and impro

262、ve decision-making without human intervention(Ridley,2022).Several UN agencies understand,as with information/data,thatAI is a key enabler for achieving the SDGs.However,experts highlight thatdespite their benefits,AI represents a latent danger.They are technologiesthat,far from being neutral,transp

263、arent or universal,are developed for profitand are not characterised by guaranteeing universal access to information orbeing oriented towards protecting human rights.In fact,their massive anduncontrolled uses by the state is favouring the emergence of new and seriousproblems.25 One of them,perhaps t

264、he most complex,is that AI may end updeepening current inequalities:that is,that their benefits,far from servinghumanity and the common good,may be concentrated,privatised andappropriated only by a reduced and privileged list of states,corporations andindividuals(AI Advisory Board,2023).The great ch

265、allenge with thesetechnologies,central to achieving the SDGs and in particular SDG 10,iswhether their capabilities can be used to create free,inclusive,sovereign anddevelopment-oriented devices for LAC countries and other regions most inneed.Latin America must avoid an AI divide and help reverse the

266、 lowtechnological development of the Global South:at the moment,LAC onlycontributes 2.66%of articles on AI in scientific journals(Maslej,et al.,2023)26.The AI gap,added to the already known digital and development gaps,could further complicate the 2030 Agenda in LAC.The intensive use of artificial i

267、ntelligences to achievethe SDGs25These problems include asymmetries in access and use of technologies,digital divides,false neutrality,monopolies,massive and systematic violation of the human right to privacy and personal data protection,data extractivism,algorithmicbiases,discrimination,fake news,d

268、isinformation,autonomous weapons,etc.26Global percentages:47.14%,East Asia and Pacific;17.20%,Europe and Central Asia;11.61%,North America;6.93%,Unknown;6.75%,South Asia;4.64%,Middle East and North Africa;2.66%,Latin America and Caribbean;2.30%,Rest ofthe World;0.77%,Sub-Saharan Africa(Maslej et al.

269、,2023:33).57For centuries,libraries have functioned as a public-community brain of oursocieties.Historically,one of libraries missions has been to meet individualsand communities needs for access to information and knowledge,overcomingcommercial,technological or legal impediments(IFLA-UNESCO,2022).F

270、or thisreason,libraries are in a position to make a significant contribution toachieving the SDGs and this seems to be the understanding of several UNdocuments.UNESCOs recommendations on the ethics of artificial intelligencepropose,in paragraph 100,that Member States encourage libraries(as well asmu

271、seums,galleries and archives)to use AI to enhance their collections andprovide users access to their databases and knowledge bases(UNESCO,2021).Similarly,previous IFLA reports(2017,2019)have also emphasised thatlibraries,access to information and digital technologies are critically linkedto achievin

272、g the SDGs.Advances in AI represent endless possibilities forlibraries,museums,archives and galleries.They allow them to enhance theirinformation acquisition,preservation,organisation and literacy capabilities forusers and communities(IFLA FAIFE,2020).AI offers users the ability to readbooks,write t

273、exts,translate them,create images,play games,access all kindsof knowledge,and,among other things,help people with motor,sensory orvision impairments.In addition,as information and knowledge managementcentres,public libraries can help their communities address issues of bias andmisinformation.Second

274、recommendation:Seek to ensure that public institutions(e.g.,libraries,museums,archives,galleries)develop specific AI that protectsdiversity and human rights,that develop locally through free,open andcommunity-based solutions,and that seek to install their owninfrastructure and reduce the costs of ma

275、chine learning.Final thoughts:libraries,information and artificialintelligences58To achieve the SDGs in a timely manner,it is critical for libraries and otherpublic institutions to develop(or collaborate in the development of)public-community AI.27 Countries and regions with freely available data,in

276、formation,knowledge and culture will be better equipped to achieve theSDGs(IFLA-UNESCO,2022).In this regard,in addition to technologies,publicpolicies and planning are needed in LAC.27In addition,it is necessary to avoid the privatisation and appropriation of information/data that has a public-commu

277、nity character.Similar points are present in free software,open educational resources,open/public data and,among others,AI of Indigenous peoples(Gonzlez Zepeda&Martnez Pinto,2023).Third recommendation:Develop specific AI for libraries,and other publicinstitutions such as museums,archives and galleri

278、es,based on data-driven institutional models,seeking the urgent updating of informationscience university careers in LAC and a greater inclusion of librarians inUN expert groups on AI.ReferencesAI Advisory Body.(2023).Governing AI for humanity:Interimreport.UnitedNations.https:/www.un.org/sites/un2.

279、un.org/files/ai_advisory_body_interim_report.pdfAmerican Convention on Human Rights.(1969).https:/www.oas.org/dil/esp/1969_Convencin_Americana_sobre_Derechos_Humanos.pdf Axon Partners Group.(2022).Europes internet ecosystem:Socio-economic benefits of a fairer balance between tech giantsand telecom o

280、perators.https:/etno.eu/downloads/reports/europes%20internet%20ecosystem.%20socio-economic%20benefits%20of%20a%20fairer%20balance%20between%20tech%20giants%20and%20telecom%20operators%20by%20axon%20for%20etno.pdf Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean(ECLAC).(2022).Regional Agreemen

281、t on Access to Information,Public Participation and Access to Justice in EnvironmentalMatters in Latin America and the Caribbean.https:/repositorio.cepal.org/bitstreams/a6049491-a9ee-4c53-ae7c-a8a17ca9504e/download 59Cloudflare.(2023).Year in review 2023:Explore worldwidetrends that shaped our inter

282、net thisyear.https:/ Garrido,M.,&Wyber,S.(Eds.).(2017).Development and accessto information.International Federation of Library Associationsand Institutions(IFLA).https:/da2i.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/da2i-2017-full-report-es.pdf Garrido,M.,&Wyber,S.(Eds.).(2019).Development and accessto informati

283、on.International Federation of Library Associationsand Institutions(IFLA).https:/da2i.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/da2i-2019-full-report.pdf Gonzlez Zepeda,L.,&Martnez Pinto,C.(2023).Artificialintelligence with a focus on Indigenous peoples:perspectivesfrom Latin America and the Caribbean.UNESCO.http

284、s:/unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000387814 IFLA-FAIFE.(2020).IFLA statement on libraries and artificialintelligence.International Federation of Library Associations andInstitutions(IFLA).https:/repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/1646 IFLAUNESCO.(2022).IFLA-UNESCO public library manifesto2022.ht

285、tps:/repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/2551Information for All Programme(IFAP).(2023).IFAP strategicplan,2023-2029.UNESCO.https:/unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386173_spa International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights.(1966).https:/treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/1976/03/19760323%2006-17%

286、20AM/Ch_IV_04.pdf International Telecommunication Union(ITU)and UnitedNations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO).(2023).State of broadband report 2023.http:/handle.itu.int/11.1002/pub/821662b5-en Maslej,N.,Fattorini,L.,Brynjolfsson,E.,Etchemendy,J.,Ligett,K.,Lyons,T.,Manyika,J.

287、,Ngo,H.,Niebles,I.,Parli,V.,Shoham,Y.,Wald,R.,Clark,J.,&Perrault,R.(2023).The AI index 2023annual report.Institute for Human-Centered AI,StanfordUniversity.https:/aiindex.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HAI_AI-Index-Report_2023.pdf Minnix,J.(2024,19 January).Global data center statistics.Bri

288、ghtlio Technology Illuminated.https:/ Information Behaviour.In S.Hervieux&A.Wheatley(Eds.),The rise of AI:Implications and applicationsof artificial intelligence in academic libraries(pp.175188).Association of College and Research Libraries.UNESCO.(2019).Advancing sustainable development throughacce

289、ss to information:Highlights of UNESCOs 2019 monitoringand reporting on SDG indicator 16.10.2.https:/unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000369160_spa 60UNESCO.(2021).Recommendation on the ethics of artificialintelligence.UNESCO.https:/unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000376713_spaUnited Nations.(2023)

290、.Sustainable Development Goals report:Special edition.https:/unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2023_Spanish.pdf Universal Declaration of Human Rights.(1948).https:/www.un.org/es/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights Vercelli,A.(2024).Regulations and ar

291、tificial intelligences inArgentina.InMediaciones de la Comunicacin,19(1),105-135.https:/doi.org/10.18861/ic.2024.19.1.3549 Vercelli,A.(2021).The extractivism of big(personal)data andthe legal-political and technological tensions linked to the secretballot.THEMIS Revista De Derecho,(79),111-125.https

292、:/revistas.pucp.edu.pe/index.php/themis/article/view/24867 World Bank.(2023).Connected:Digital technologies forinclusion and growth.Latin America and the Caribbeaneconomic report.World Bank.https:/openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/12e40c3f-5e54-440e-8f0f-982edcb156c9/content 61P

293、ublic Libraries and the sustainabledevelopment goals David Donohue ChapterIn 2014-15,as Irelands Ambassador to the United Nations,I co-chaired the UNnegotiations that culminated in the adoption of the Sustainable DevelopmentGoals.The SDGs and the wider 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentwere and

294、 are the most ambitious programme for global progress everdevised.In September 2015,this new agenda was agreed by all UN memberStates,who committed themselves to working for its full achievement by2030.2023 marks the midway point in the lifespan of the SDGs.Leaders from all 193countries recently cam

295、e together at a special United Nations summit to reviewthe progress made to date,to renew their commitments,and to set a fresh setof priorities for the remaining seven years to 2030.While the worldsscorecard on SDGs implementation is well behind where it should be(due inparticular to the impacts of

296、the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war),astrong global consensus remains that the SDGs are the indispensableroadmap as we rebuild from the pandemic and grapple with a multiplicity ofother crises and challenges.Action to achieve the SDGs is a matter for policymakers at all levels:global,regional,n

297、ational and local.Implementation involves a collective effort bygovernments,the private sector,civil society,academia,the researchcommunity and many other stakeholders.If those responsible are to take the right kind of decisions,they must haveaccess to a knowledge base that will keep them fully info

298、rmed across anextraordinarily wide-ranging and complex set of issues.What is required bypolicymakers under each heading is scientific evidence that is rigorous,timelyand comprehensive.Not only is each Goal in itself a subject requiring vastknowledge and expertise,but the interactions between,and acr

299、oss,all of theGoals represent an entirely new challenge.62This is an integrated agenda that involves countless interconnections acrossthe 17 Goals and 169 targets.There are also several cross-cutting themes andpriorities that can only be addressed effectively on the basis of in-depthinformation and

300、analysis.The most prominent of these is the pledge made byall countries to target in particular the needs of the poorest and mostdisadvantaged communities,“leaving no one behind”and endeavouring to“reach the furthest behind first.”It was always clear that,to generate data on the scale required,natio

301、nalstatistical offices would play a crucial role.But beyond that,policymakerswould need to rely on the worlds institutions of knowledge and learning toidentify,and fill,the many gaps which would inevitably reveal themselves.Tobe true to the demands of a uniquely broad agenda that every country would

302、be implementing,information and data would be required that would beuniversally available,easily accessible and on a similarly broad scale.On theone hand,therefore,information is needed to enable decision-takers to plotthe right way forward;and on the other,information is needed to meet theneeds of

303、the general public and ensure the necessary political support for thisunprecedented global work plan.This is where public libraries have an essential contribution to make.Availableto everyone regardless of background or status,they are repositories ofcomprehensive data on all issues relevant to the

304、SDGs.They support a widerange of activities inspired by the SDGs:basic knowledge-gathering about theGoals and their purpose and scope;education and teaching;advocacy aroundthe Goals;detailed monitoring of the progress being made;and the facilitationof research and innovation based on them.The inform

305、ation about the SDGsthat public libraries supply comes,of course,in a wide variety of formats,withdigitised and online data playing a steadily growing role.Access to information is a fundamental human right.It facilitates,furthermore,the delivery of many other rights.The provision by public librarie

306、s ofinformation on all aspects of the SDGs is an absolutely indispensable publicservice.Particularly with the free internet access they provide in manycountries,libraries are helping in a very real way to deliver the promisesrelating to human rights and equality that are made in the SDGs and the 203

307、0Agenda.63Libraries are key stakeholders for implementation of the SDGs.They offer awide range of products and services that promote the achievement of each ofthe Goals.The very epitome of recycling,they are well positioned todisseminate knowledge widely,whether through books,CDs,DVDs,e-books ordigi

308、tal magazines.And they facilitate the exchange of learnings and bestpractices,within and between countries,that we have all agreed areindispensable for implementation of the SDGs.In my country,and in my part of the world,public libraries are proactivepartners that contribute actively through a range

309、 of initiatives to publicunderstanding of the challenges and opportunities represented by the SDGs.They help ordinary citizens to see how they can make a difference,at apersonal and local level,in terms of implementation of the SDGs.In theprocess,they also strengthen universal literacy,citizen invol

310、vement,inclusivity and national ownership of this agenda.In Ireland,public libraries have created collections and reading lists aroundthe SDGs,with individual Goals showcased each month.They have heldhundreds of workshops on climate action,sustainability and other SDG-related issues.There have been

311、events to highlight the SDGs to the public andto schools and programmes that support achievement of the Goals andtargets while also raising awareness of the 2030 Agenda more generally.Alllibraries have taken part in the countrys national SDGs awareness weeks.Many have incorporated the SDGs in their

312、own strategic plans.Irelandscurrent national library strategy includes,for the first time,a focus onsustainability and climate action and on actions that will help the country toachieve the SDGs.It shows how almost all of the SDGs will be supported and itmaps commitments to 31 of the SDG targets.Pub

313、lic libraries have beenincluded in the Irish Governments current National Implementation Plan forthe SDGs.Irish public libraries have been particularly active in highlighting thesignificance of Goals 2,3,4,5,13 and 16(the latter with its emphasis on publicaccess to information and the transparency a

314、nd accountability linked to this).In support of Goal 2,for example,they have partnered with national healthinitiatives on a project designed to engage 50,000 people directly in a foodgrowing programme.Growing kits were made available through 300 librarybranches across the country,and 50“library amba

315、ssadors”were appointed tocreate momentum for the campaign at the local level.64In support of Goal 3,a national health initiative focussed on public librariesgave people access to a collection of health-related books and other readingmaterials.Under Goal 4,a library-based campaign promoting literacy

316、and well-being led to tens of thousands of people joining library digital services for thefirst time.(Goal 4,with,inter alia,its pledge to“promote lifelong learningopportunities for all,”to provide safe and inclusive learning environments,andto ensure that by 2030 all youth and a substantial proport

317、ion of adults wouldachieve literacy,has of course very direct implications for librariesworldwide).What opportunities are there to strengthen further the contribution oflibraries to achievement of the SDGs?And what challenges do we face in thisarea?At the heart of SDGs implementation is the concept

318、of mutual learning andsupport.It would be very useful to share best practices among thosecountries who have recognized the potential of libraries from the outset andare making great strides in this area.There should also be greater investmentin skills training for library staff,particularly digital

319、skills as the volume ofdigitally available information expands rapidly and this becomes increasinglythe medium of choice for library users.Improvements in digital infrastructureand resources for libraries are also needed.Digital inclusion,ensuring thatmarginalised and disadvantaged groups have digit

320、al skills and access,must beprioritised.In many European countries,a number of minority groups,such asvulnerable migrants and asylum-seekers,are experiencing continuing socialexclusion,and therefore discrimination and a denial of basic rights,because oftheir lack of digital skills.Looking more broad

321、ly at the European landscape,one has the impression that,while there is no doubting the contribution to be made by European publiclibraries to implementation of the SDGs,the performance under this headingacross European Union member States has been a little uneven.Politicalcommitment,the capacity of

322、 national statistics offices,and the resourcing ofpublic libraries vary from one country to another,and much of the potentialremains untapped.Many of the substantive challenges presented by the SDGs are continuing.While information and data for individual Goals and targets may be plentiful,there is

323、often less to show regarding the interconnections between one areaand another and the impact one target can have,positively or negatively,onthe achievement of several others.65These challenges of multidimensional evaluation are particularly acute when itcomes to assessing how a country is doing in r

324、elation to the pledge to“leaveno one behind.”Disaggregated information spanning many categories ofdisadvantage is needed for measurement of this cross-cutting commitment.Libraries and knowledge institutions are not always equipped with what theyrequire to facilitate such assessments.There may also b

325、e significant gapsbetween individual EU member States in this respect.To sum up,access to information is indispensable for implementation of theSDGs.Worldwide,public libraries are providing such access,to policymakersand experts and to the ordinary public.In Europe,a number of countriesrecognize the

326、 key role of libraries and are exploiting it fully.However,performance in this respect is uneven across the EU.There are alsochallenges in terms of digital access,resources and training and in the abilityto mobilise the multidimensional data needed for assessments of,forexample,the commitment to“lea

327、ve no one behind.”66Professor Lawrence Surendra ChapterHumanity has not only survived many perilous times,but also retained itshumanity.In the past century,we have seen two world wars,the Vietnam War,the unending Afghan tragedy,fascism,apartheid and genocides,not tomention the dangers posed by clima

328、te change.A terrible,meaningless wargoes on in Europe with no end in sight.Democracies are threatened,yethumankind lives in hope,and aspirations for a better future remain.The UNSustainable Development Goals launched in 2015 were part of humanitysaspirations for a just,sustainable and peaceful world

329、.However,at themidpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,the GlobalSustainable Development Report submitted to the 2023 High-Level PoliticalForum makes this candid statement:“Progress to date,at the halfway point ofthe 2030 Agenda,is far off track and projections show that the world wi

330、ll notachieve the SDGs by 2030”(emphasis added).Countries of the Asia and the Pacific(Oceania)regions,especially Small IslandStates and Least Developed Countries,show a consistent lack of progress withregard to the SDGs.What is the scenario for progress on the UNs 2030Agenda?A glimpse of the progres

331、s on SDGs can be gleaned from the UNDepartment of Economic and Social Affairs“SDG Acceleration Actions,”whichcover“initiatives voluntarily undertaken to accelerate the SDGimplementation by governments and any other non-state actors individuallyor in partnership.Any new effort or new action that buil

332、ds on existing efforts(scaling up,new phase,etc.)related to the achievement of one or more of the17 SDGs or that addresses the interlinked nature of the 2030 Agenda could beconsidered an SDG Acceleration Action.”SDGs:Where do we stand?67Development and Access to InformationThe“SDG Acceleration Actio

333、ns”briefing document of 19th August 2022 hadthe following interesting findings.“A total of 387 Acceleration Actions havebeen published.The majority of actions(76%)aim to address multiple SDGsleveraging interlinkages,while 24%of initiatives focus on addressing one SDG.Of the 387 registered actions,SDG 17 has mobilized the largest number,followed by SDGs 13,1,5,6,4 and 16.With regard to geographical