Overview: The National Forum on Information Literacy was one of three sponsors for an international leadership conference on information literacy, which was held in Prague, The Czech Republic, in September 2003. The co-sponsors were UNESCO and the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. This by-invitation-only conference brought together 40 participants carefully chosen with consideration to geographical representation as well as to the role of information literacy in five sectors: economic development, education, human services, library and information science, and policymaking. Facilitated discussions aroundthese topics will further contribute to knowledge on this important 21st century literacy topic. UNESCO will publish the conference outcomes. Press Release about the Conference: Inequities among nations and individuals in today’s Information Society were targeted at a historic, first-of-its-kind meeting in Prague, The Czech Republic, September 20–23, 2003. Forty participants from 23 different countries, representing all seven major geographic regions of the world, met to discuss Information Literacy. With the support of UNESCO, and organized by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) and the National Forum on Information Literacy (NFIL), participants wrestled with the fundamental challenge of how to empower people to benefit from existing information and communication resources and technologies in an Internet Age. To date, advancements in information and communication technologies have only increased the divide between the information rich and the information poor. Prague participants acknowledged the need for three elements to improve this situation: 1) ready access to information and communication technologies; 2) unrestricted availability of needed information; and 3) an information literate citizenry. They agreed that an information literacy citizenry is required to mobilize an effective civil society and create a competitive workforce. For the full press release, click on one of the links below: Prague Press Release, Word document Prague Press Release, Adobe Acrobat PDF The Prague Declaration is available in the following formats: Prague Declaration, Word document Prague Declaration, Adobe Acrobat PDF Report of the Proceedings of the International Conference of Information Literacy Experts: Prague Report, Word document Prague Report, Adobe Acrobat PDF Participant Papers: Participant papers listed by subject are available at: http://www.infolit.org/International_Conference/PraguePapersSubject.htm To view papers by author name, visit:  http://www.infolit.org/International_Conference/PraguePapersAuthor.htm Additional Information: For more information on the conference, including additional papers and documents, visit: http://www.nclis.gov/libinter/infolitconf&meet/infolitconf&meet.html For information on post-conference material and activities, visit:http://www.nclis.gov/libinter/infolitconf&meet/post-infolitconf&meet/post-infolitconf&meet.html

Site sponsored by: Syracuse Literacy Group

Dr. Lana Jackman
Sharon Weiner
Co-Chairs, National Forum on Information Literacy