The IFLA Internet Manifesto

Source:
IFLA Internet Manifesto: http://www.ifla.org/III/misc/internetmanif.htm

Abstract:
The IFLA Internet Manifesto presents and asserts that: intellectual freedom is the right of every human both to hold and express opinions and to seek and receive information; freedom of access to information regardless of frontiers; the provision of unhindered access to the Internet by libraries and information services; and barriers to the flow of information should be removed especially those that promote inequality, poverty, and despair. The manifesto insists the freedom of access to information may it be with the Internet and libraries and information services. It holds on to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights especially in Article 19. Thus, IFLA encourages the international community, national governments, and all governments to support the manifesto and urges the library community and decision makers at national and local levels to develop strategies, policies, and plans that implement the principles.

Three things I've learned:
1.The IFLA created the Internet Manifesto to strongly recommends and supports free access of information to anyone regardless of barriers and hindrances, and promotes freedom, equality, global understanding and peace.
2.The librarian and information profession take a big participation and responsibility in the implementation and application of the Manifesto.
3. There are many ways that the librarian and information profession can do to possibly implement and apply the principles expressed in the Manifesto.

Applications/Implications:
As a librarian, I greatly support the IFLA Internet Manifesto especially that our country, the Philippines, belongs to the third world country wherein access to information is not fully utilized especially by the unprivileged ones. It is very important that the information can be shared not to few but to many. One of our roles is to disseminate right and valuable information. It is hope that through the principles lay down by the IFLA, may our own institution plans for strategies, policies, and programs to support the freedom of information. In our institution, we can make use of the Manifesto in drafting our own ICT plan and program.