From Peter Suber of "Open Access News"

[Forwarding from eIFL.net. --Peter.] http://www.eifl.net/services/ipcis_pr.html Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL.net) and International Renaissance Foundation Libraries activating for Access to Knowledge PRESS RELEASE June 1, 2006 Advocacy for Access to Knowledge: copyright and libraries International seminar, Kiev, 26-27 May 2006 On 26-27 May 2006, the prestigious National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy hosted experts from former Soviet Union, Mongolia, South-East Asia and the Middle East at an international seminar on the role of libraries and access to knowledge. Thirty specialist librarians from twenty-five countries debated how copyright law impacts on access to information and knowledge, especially in the digital age and discussed policies and strategies to safeguard future access to our cultural and scientific heritage. Access to knowledge is essential for the functioning of a healthy and democratic society. Libraries are conduits that enable all members of the community to benefit from global information resources, ideas and opinions. However legal and technological restrictions on the sharing and re-use of content over the last decade have restricted library services. "Librarians must defend the interests of students, researchers and the general public who use the library. We must ensure that copyright is an enabler of access to knowledge, not a barrier. That is what this seminar is about", said Teresa Hackett, Project Manager eIFL-IP. Organised by Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL.net) and local partner Informatio Consortium, the event is supported by the UNESCO Information for All Programme. High level speakers from Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Ukraine and the UK shared their expertise with participants in a lively two days of learning and debate. "Librarians have an important role to play to ensure that international instruments concluded in the area of intellectual property are balanced and supportive of important public policy objectives such as access to knowledge and information", said Ahmed Abdel Latif, the speaker from Egypt who has represented his country in many negotiations on IP at different international fora. "Sharing knowledge is an essential function of society. Libraries and the Free Software community have a common interest in a copyright system that promotes the spread of knowledge so that ideas do not become monopolised. The Free Software Foundation Europe is delighted to work together with librarians for Access to Knowledge in the interest of users." said Karsten Gerloff, Free Software Foundation Europe. The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Copyright Committee was represented at the workshop by Barbara Stratton, Senior Copyright Adviser for the UK's Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, who said, "Libraries underpin the Information Society. It is absolutely vital that librarians are recognised by governments, legislators and the wider community as major stakeholders in the knowledge economy. It is in society's interests that librarians are fully consulted and involved in every stage of development copyright legislation." "With due respect to our international obligations and national copyright laws, it is our role to dream, seek, ask and work for an intellectual property system that provides proper balance between the rights of rightholders and the rights of society to access use and disseminate knowledge, education which in turn stimulates creativity", said Hala Essalmawi, Attorney at law, IPR officer, The library of Alexandria, Egypt. "We are delighted that eIFL.net chose to hold this seminar in Ukraine", said Iryna Kuchma, manager of International Renaissance Foundation, which runs a programme on Access to Knowledge. "There is a growing international movement for Access to Knowledge (A2K) which is pushing for changes to the global intellectual property system at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It is such an important issue and librarians have a key role to play", continued Iryna Kuchma. Fair access to information for all is essential to nurture education and stimulate innovation. This seminar is the first step to mobilise a network of library copyright experts in the region. Further information: http://www.eifl.net/services/ipcis.html Teresa Hackett, Project Manager eIFL-IP Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL) c/o ADN Kronos, Piazza Mastai 9 00153 Rome, Italy Tel: +(39)(06)5807216/17 E-mail: teresa.hackett@eifl.net http://www.eifl.net/ Iryna Kuchma, Social Capital and Academic Publications Program Manager International Renaissance Foundation 46, Artema Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 04053 Telephone: (+380 44) 461-9500 Fax: (+380 44) 486 0166 E-mail: kuchma@irf.kiev.ua http://www.irf.kiev.ua/programs/scaap Notes for Editors eIFL eIFL.net is an international foundation which supports national library consortia in fifty transition and developing countries to negotiate and advocate for the wide availability of electronic resources to education, research and professional communities as well as governmental organisations and civil society. This global network embraces millions of users in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East. International Renaissance Foundation International Renaissance Foundation is private, grant-making foundation funded by George Soros which aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. Funds are also allocated for diversification of information resources for the third sector, democratization of education and public health, development of social capital and academic publications.