It’s all systems go for the IFLA Global Vision discussion after a hugely successful two-day kick-off meeting in Barcelona, Spain on 20 and 21 March 2018.

Global Vision Kick Off group photograph

Hot on the heels of the eagerly-awaited launch of the IFLA Global Vision Report Summary, which reveals the top ten highlights and opportunities for a strong and united library field, 143 participants from 35 countries convened in the historic Museu Maritim, close to the city’s harbour, and began shaping their ideas for actions.

 

Incredible creativity and energy flowed and were key ingredients to the group’s achievements. From table discussions to highly entertaining and inspiring group presentations (and even some portrait drawing!), no stone was left unturned in our quest to make the vision a reality.

Global Vision participant discusses with her group

Debate, Discussion and Drive

Underpinning the imaginative activities was the sheer wealth of experience in the room – 3,159 years of library experience to be exact – with each participant bringing to the meeting their own unique insights into the library field and how, with a Global Vision, libraries can power literate, informed and participative societies. The two days were full of debate, discussion and drive – drive to take this next phase of the discussion back to their countries and contribute to the biggest ideas store the library field has ever seen.

Next steps

Global Vision Roadmap

IFLA Global Vision now heads to our six regions, starting in Latin America and the Caribbean on 11 and 12 April, to collect even more ideas before the full Global Vision Outcomes Report is published during our World Library and Information Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Get inspired, get involved: See pictures from the IFLA Global Vision kick-off workshop Download the IFLA Global Vision report summary Get inspired by our brand new IFLA Global Vision video