On 17 July, 2017, in the context of the United Nations High Level Political Forum (UN HLPF), IFLA celebrated the role of libraries in delivering access to information at the global level, by launching the first Development and Access to Information (DA2I) Report.

The DA2I initiative underlines: (1) the importance of collaboration between libraries to build a global knowledge society; (2) the invaluable contribution that information access, particularly through libraries, makes to promoting more socially and economically inclusive societies. 

# From Evidence to Action: Raising the Visibility of Libraries in the UN 2030 Agenda

The Development and Access to Information (DA2I)  report - - launched during the UN HLPF*, on 17 July 2017 - - is a project of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), in partnership with the Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) at the University of Washington Information School. 

# The DA2I report : context

• was conceived as part of the Lyon Declaration on Access to Information and Development, supported by more than 600 signatories, which calls on global institutions and associations to “ensure that everyone has access to, and is able to understand, use and share the information that is necessary to promote sustainable development and democratic societies”;
• is just the latest step in the advocacy work started by IFLA in 2012 around the UN SDGs, which has already successfully seen Access to Information incorporated into the UN’s 2030 Agenda (Key Initiative 4.1: Promoting libraries within the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development);
• is strongly complements the International Advocacy Programme (IAP) through which, in the past year alone, IFLA has signed agreements with representatives of library associations from 73 countries, committing with them to work to build understanding of the SDGs at a national and regional level, and engage in the planning and implementation processes of National Development Plans. DA2I provides a powerful evidence base for their work.

# DA2I : more Visibility of Libraries within the context of the United Nations 2030 Agenda

DAI2I is going to:

• to be a starting point for library associations to generate conversations around the contribution of libraries to development;
• provide a tool for libraries to engage access to information campaigners and organizations;
• demonstrate how access to information and libraries contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• monitor the progress countries are making towards fulfilling their commitment to promote meaningful access to information as part of the SDGs.