Development and Access to Information (DA2I)

What is Development and Access to Information (DA2I)?

DA2I is a joint project between the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) at the University of Washington Information School.

It demonstrates how access to information and libraries contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This project was conceived as part of the Lyon Declaration on Access to Information and Development, which calls on global
institutions and associations to “ensure that everyone has access to, and is able to understand, use and share the information that is necessary to promote sustainable development and democratic societies.”

The primary objectives of the project are as follows:

Demonstrate how access to information contributes to development, and is embedded across the UN 2030 Agenda;
Demonstrate libraries’ contributions to providing equitable access to information in the context of the UN 2030 Agenda;

Raise the visibility of libraries within the context of development agendas, particularly the UN 2030 Agenda;
Serve as a tool to engage access-to-information campaigners, organizations, and libraries at the national level to generate conversations around the contributions of libraries to development.

Throughout this report, access to information is defined as the rights and capacity to use, create, and share information in ways that are meaningful to each individual, community, or organization. The ability of information access to contribute to sustainable development is influenced by a combination of structural factors (e.g., policies and physical infrastructure) and human/social factors (e.g., usage, population characteristics, and skills).

Therefore, we propose a DA2I framework to describe four interdependent dimensions that influence access to information and its ability to advance the SDGs:

Information and communications access infrastructure: the connectivity (and material resources) that establishes the physical connection to information.
Social context of use: the variety of local, cultural factors that shape the way users will engage with information.

Capabilities: the body of functional knowledge, skills, and resources a population develops over time that shapes the nature of how information is used or not used.
Legal and policy landscape: the policies and regulatory frameworks that promote or hinder connectivity, affordability, inclusiveness, and rights. (E.g., spectrum management, universal access funds, copyrights, freedom of speech, privacy, and security.)

This framework provides useful insights for analysing the interdependent variables that shape access. It can be applied to a group of people, to a nation, to the planet. We believe it is a useful tool for considering access to information in the context of the SDGs.

About IFLA

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It works to promote a strong and globally united library field as a driver of literate, informed and participatory societies, and places the importance of access to information at the heart of its values. With members in almost 150 countries, it is both the global voice of the library and information profession, and the primary hub for developing standards, sharing good practices, and empowering and building connections between libraries and library associations globally.

About TASCHA

The Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) at the University of Washington Information School explores the role of digital technologies in building more open, inclusive, and equitable societies. TASCHA is a nexus for multidisciplinary research whose work has helped international organizations, governments, civil society organizations, and public libraries in the United States and more than 50 other countries.