Dr. Anna Paolini, Unesco Representative to the Arab states of the Gulf and Yemen, and Director of Unesco Doha Office, speaking at the event.
Doha: Qatar National Library (QNL), in cooperation with Unesco Doha Office and Qatar National Commission to Unesco, celebrated the first International Day for Universal Access to Information.
The event focused on the importance of access to information to build inclusive knowledge-based societies by preserving knowledge and safeguarding documentary materials in Qatar.
The public event was held at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (GU-Q).
It featured a demonstration of the process used by QNL to digitise rare documentary materials and a presentation on QNL’s Digital Library and its Open Access Author Fund.
Dr. Claudia Lux, Project Director, QNL, said: “QNL is honoured to have teamed up with Unesco Doha Office to celebrate the day, which represents one of the library’s core values.
“QNL is committed to providing the local community with free access to information resources, whether in the digital form or in digital and print forms in the future.”
Dr. Anna Paolini, Unesco Representative to the Arab states of the Gulf and Yemen, and Director, Unesco Doha Office, said: “The day is an occasion to celebrate and further develop potential of information to help meet the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and, in particular, the target of 16.10, which calls for ensuring public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.”
Dr. Hamda Al Sulaiti, Secretary-General of the commission, added: “The celebration is part of Unesco’s efforts to promote universal access to information and knowledge, ensure that the world’s documentary heritage belongs to all and assist member states in harnessing new opportunities of the information age to create equitable societies.”
The 38th session of Unesco General Conference in November 2015 adopted a resolution to mark the day. As a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), QNL supports
QF’s mission to unlock human potential by preserving the nation’s heritage for future generations.
