Session Number
08
Description
Communication is the means by which information is transmitted and shared between 'two people' in order to enable them increase their knowledge. Within the framework of Unesco's new economic order, therefore, communication of information aims at providing facilities by which information should be shared universally through exchange of knowledge and experiences. The ultimate purpose of this economic order is to bring about human understanding, cooperation, and betterment of the quality of life.
Communication of information would not be a reality, however, if knowledge were not recorded, acquired, organized and disseminated for use. High premium in this respect therefore is placed on the role played by libraries. This implies the availability of qualified personnel, adequate library resources, regular budgets, and definite government support.
Most third world countries, however, are bedeviled with more problems than solutions, making it difficult to achieve smooth flow of communication. Some of these constrains are: lack of sufficient qualified librarians, insufficient and irregular budgets, long delays in delivery of orders due to lack of foreign exchange and vast distances from suppliers, lack of viabie national publishers, and poor transport and telecommunication systems.
Librarians in third world countries should form national and regional library associations as forums for exchange of experiences and knowiedge. In Kenya, for example, there is not only a strong library association, but also there is the regional Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Librarians (SCECSAL) whieh brings together twenty countries. Through these organizations, they should affiliate with international organizations in order to share in Unesco's activities like UAP. They should also politic and influence their governments to appreciate the importance of information as a tool for socio-economic, political and technological development. Thus, national information policies should be established for the creation of systematie national information systems and serviees.
International organizations and industrialized countries be requested to offer definite and substantial assistance through aid, conferences, exchange of personnel and consultancies, publications to enable realization of short and long term plans of the third world countries.
Communication with the Third World Countries
Communication is the means by which information is transmitted and shared between 'two people' in order to enable them increase their knowledge. Within the framework of Unesco's new economic order, therefore, communication of information aims at providing facilities by which information should be shared universally through exchange of knowledge and experiences. The ultimate purpose of this economic order is to bring about human understanding, cooperation, and betterment of the quality of life.
Communication of information would not be a reality, however, if knowledge were not recorded, acquired, organized and disseminated for use. High premium in this respect therefore is placed on the role played by libraries. This implies the availability of qualified personnel, adequate library resources, regular budgets, and definite government support.
Most third world countries, however, are bedeviled with more problems than solutions, making it difficult to achieve smooth flow of communication. Some of these constrains are: lack of sufficient qualified librarians, insufficient and irregular budgets, long delays in delivery of orders due to lack of foreign exchange and vast distances from suppliers, lack of viabie national publishers, and poor transport and telecommunication systems.
Librarians in third world countries should form national and regional library associations as forums for exchange of experiences and knowiedge. In Kenya, for example, there is not only a strong library association, but also there is the regional Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Librarians (SCECSAL) whieh brings together twenty countries. Through these organizations, they should affiliate with international organizations in order to share in Unesco's activities like UAP. They should also politic and influence their governments to appreciate the importance of information as a tool for socio-economic, political and technological development. Thus, national information policies should be established for the creation of systematie national information systems and serviees.
International organizations and industrialized countries be requested to offer definite and substantial assistance through aid, conferences, exchange of personnel and consultancies, publications to enable realization of short and long term plans of the third world countries.