Information For Sustainable Development In Digital Environment

Abstract

Technological developments that have taken place during the past decade have brought opportunities which have drastically changed human life. The internet has added a new dimension to information technology by introducing rich concepts like information for sustainable development in a digital environment, knowledge management, information ethics and re-positioning of libraries in the society. Digital environments including digitized archives and documentation centers have emerged as crucial components in the global information infrastructure. There is a sudden adoption of the latest ICT to promote an organizational structure that encourages communication between scholars across nations, and helps transcend disciplinary boundaries. The SCECSAL (Standing Conference of East, Southern and Central Africa Library and Information Associations) 2012 is expected to be a major forum focusing on information for sustainable development in a Digital Environment and related technologies and issues. Sub- themes such as digital libraries, publishing and Web 2.0, and knowledge and content management are areas that are still nascent in the developing countries and have a great potential to become the key technologies in information for sustainable development and its management. By facilitating exchange of ideas between the participating information professionals, the conference will bridge the knowledge gap in these areas and sustain the knowledge gained. Above all, deliberations of renowned SCECSAL community and international experts, and subsequent discussion will facilitate development of road maps on information for sustainable development in a digital Environment. SCECSAL 2012 will also provide a direction towards framing Digital Environment policies, legislations, and other issues related to digitization. In the case of digitization of Libraries, which has become entirely feasible and extremely attractive today, the benefits are so large that the speed in applying modem information technology has even stronger merit than other areas. Libraries produce benefits to human societies. Such benefits cannot be overvalued, because these repositories of knowledge and information benefit a large populace and organizations. This means that digitization can be brought about to improve efficiency not only in library services but also information for sustainable development. The conference promises to be a major step in addressing related technological skills. Those who are involved in the field like LIS scholars, researchers, practitioners and policy makers would find this an extremely valuable event and tool for bringing change from conventional to modem library functions and systems. I gratefully thank all paper contributors for their efforts, time and enthusiasm for their contributions. I have no words to express my gratitude to my colleagues spearheaded by Mrs. Jacinta Were and her committee, whose unwavering support right from the concept stage to the planning and organization of the conference has been invaluable. I have no doubt, whatsoever, to say that without the kind of cooperation and support extended by them, this conference would not have taken place.