AfLIA receives funding to boost sensitization, capacity development and advocacy in inclusive openness in Africa.

30 May 2024

Over the years, AfLIA has implemented several open knowledge initiatives aimed at creating awareness, developing the capacity of African library and information professionals and enhancing advocacy on openness in the continent. While these initiatives have made significant impact, much more is required to bridge the existing awareness and knowledge gap on the culture of openness in Africa.

As part of efforts to bridge the awareness, knowledge and capacity gap, AfLIA has implemented several open knowledge initiatives, some in collaboration with strategic partners such as the Wikimedia Foundation, Neil Butcher and Associates and OER Africa. A few of such initiatives include a series of webinars, short courses and campaigns as well as the creation of open resources and platforms. These initiatives have made significant impact in creating awareness, developing capacity and enhancing advocacy on openness in the continent, but much more needs to be done. African Librarians require ongoing training and professional development opportunities to build the necessary skills and expertise to effectively curate, organize, promote and advocate for OERs within the communities in which they work.

AfLIA’s efforts in implementing open knowledge initiatives have received a major boost following a 3-year general operating support grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Between 2024 and 2027, AfLIA will roll out initiatives that will transform African Librarians into a network of advocates who actively contribute to the formulation of open policies, recognize and uphold standards and guidelines for the accessibility of knowledge resources in the educational sector across all levels in Africa. The operating grant will facilitate AfLIA’s work on building inclusive OERs in Africa through libraries and implementing the UNESCO OER Recommendation to drive inclusive and quality education in the continent.

Highlights of planned open knowledge initiatives (2024-2027)

Between 2024 and 2027, AfLIA would roll out initiatives geared towards establishing a sustainable system where quality and inclusive OERs are developed, curated and made accessible to everyone through African libraries. Among other things, the initiatives will also seek to transform African Librarians into a network of advocates who actively contribute to the formulation of policies that promote openness in Africa’s educational sector.

Key components of the initiatives are as follows:

Implementing the Inclusive OER in Africa project. This will involve developing a curriculum and hybrid-training course tailored to train Librarians from at least 20 African countries. In conjunction with National and Regional Library Associations in selected countries, three in-person forums will be organized for stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on OERs. Research will be conducted on the current state of African library/institutional policies on OERs, availability of African knowledge resources in different library types, followed by the compilation, curation, and dissemination of openly licensed local content (African knowledge) in collaboration with existing OER platforms. Interestingly, the project will organize the first ever Openness Advocate Excellence Award for African Librarians to celebrate outstanding contributions of these professionals to the Open movement.

The OER Scholarship Scheme for African Students will be designed to support the academic and research pursuits of at least one MPhil student by providing a comprehensive scholarship package. The scholarship package will include full sponsorship for tuition, as well as coverage for international and local travel expenses, accommodation, research support, data collection, and conference participation. A core criterion for the scholarship would be that the recipient’s research will specifically focus on the field of open educational resources (OERs).

The AfLIA Leadership Academy (AfLAc) curriculum will be enhanced to include critical topics on Open Licensing and OERs, targeting up to 20 management-level Librarians. The revised course will feature both virtual and physical convenings, with the latter scheduled during the 2025 AfLIA Conference in Namibia. Participants and mentors will receive partial sponsorship, covering conference registration, accommodation, and meals.

Finally,

AfLIA acknowledges the amazing potential and prospects that this grant affords to her. As a continental library association, this operating grant would enable the organization to fulfill its mandate of empowering the African library and information community in upholding the principles of freedom of access to information, expression, and ideas. Through this partnership, AfLIA will implement programmes that would further position Libraries as crucial institutions that enhance lives through free, equitable and inclusive access to knowledge, information, and innovative services.

About William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation invests in creative thinkers and problem solvers working to ensure that people, communities, and the planet can flourish. Together with our partners, we are harnessing society’s collective capacity to solve our toughest problems — from the existential threat of climate change, to persistent and pervasive inequities, to attacks on democracy itself. A nonpartisan philanthropy, the Hewlett Foundation has made grants in the U.S. and globally for nearly six decades based on an approach that emphasizes long-term support, collaboration, and trust. Learn more at www.hewlett.org.