RLUK would like to join other national and international library organisations including CILIP and SCONUL in expressing its disappointment at the decision to select Dubai as the venue for the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2024.
We recognise that while IFLA’s intention is to be globally inclusive and to ensure library professionals across the world are recognised, engaged and enabled in shaping our profession without fear or favour we feel that the choice of Dubai sets an unwelcome precedent. One which will exclude members of our community who would not feel comfortable or safe to participate in the conference. The absence of these voices and their participation would be a loss to our wider inclusive community.
RLUK’s members are committed to creating and maintaining inclusive organisations, structures, and spaces which celebrate diversity, welcome difference, and embed positive change.
RLUK encourages IFLA to reflect and reconsider this decision, to hear the range of voices from its associations and the wider library community and to act in reaffirming its commitment to promote and value diversity and inclusion.
About RLUK
Research Libraries UK (RLUK) is a consortium of the 39 leading and most significant research libraries in the UK and Ireland. Our purpose is to shape the research library agenda and contribute to the wider knowledge economy through innovative projects and services that add value and impact to the process of research and researcher-training. We contribute to the health of society through the preservation and sharing of knowledge: one of the pillars of an open society.
