News
IFAP reaffirms the importance of intergovernmental outreach and partnerships
The 30th Meeting of the IFAP Bureau took place from 6 to 7 March 2019 in Paris to review the work of its thematic working groups and working methods.
The IFAP Chair, Ms Dorothy Gordon, from Ghana, opened the 30th IFAP Bureau Meeting and affirmed that Agenda 2030 provides several opportunities for promoting inclusive knowledge societies, as reflected in the IFAP Strategic Plan. Ms Gordon noted the increased public awareness in issues addressed by IFAP’s mandate and the need to constantly encourage knowledge sharing among Member States. She also noted the need to link the work of IFAP in 2019 to the .
The Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Moez Chakchouk also expressed his appreciation of the interest in IFAP by Member States and reiterated the opportunities that the information age offer in creating equitable knowledge societies by improving access to information.
During the deliberations of the Bureau meeting, the six thematic and their work came under the spotlight. Working Group Chairs, reviewed the salient topics to be prioritized in the next year to remain relevant in a rapidly changing information landscape. The terms of reference of the working groups were also reviewed taking the proposed results framework of IFAP into account.
The IFAP Bureau also considered a number of recommendations in terms of its governance and financial regulations. Progress has been made in addressing these recommendations, following the first IFAP Open Ended Working Group that took place on 15 January 2019 in Paris France.
This meeting was also an opportunity to take advantage of the debate on Artificial Intelligence at UNESCO and IFAP organized a dialogue session in cooperation with the (COMEST) on the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence. The dialogue focused on the preliminary findings of the study on the ethics of artificial intelligence and concluded in a number of concrete actions that IFAP can do in sensitizing different stakeholders on the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence. will be a key partner in the foreseen activities. IFAP National Committees from Jamaica, Mozambique and Zimbabwe took part as observers in the IFAP Bureau Meeting.
Finally, attention was also given to the gender divide that exists as part of the digital divides. The IFAP Bureau Members assisted in a presentation on the policy brief on digital skills and gender divides, prepared by UNESCO for the EQUALS Skills Coalition.
About IFAP
The Information for All Programme (IFAP) was established in 2001 to provide a platform for international cooperation in the area of access to information and knowledge for the participation of all in the knowledge societies. IFAP is a unique UNESCO intergovernmental programme that focuses on ensuring that all people have access to information they can use to improve their lives. The IFAP Bureau consists of eight Member States nominated by the governing Council. It meets twice a year to appraise, select and approve projects as well as to hold thematic debates on issues of importance for the Programme.
