Advocacy of the Sustainable Development Goals in Jordanian academic libraries

IFLA Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 034003522110383
Author(s):  
Faten Hamad ◽  
Maha Al-Fadel

In view of the increased importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and the limited number of public libraries in Jordan, it is important to investigate the role and practices of academic libraries in promoting knowledge and skills to support the Sustainable Development Goals in Jordan. It is also important to explore the challenges that might hinder the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals. The results of this study support the fact that academic libraries can significantly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals ( M = 3.53) by providing access to relevant and up-to-date information ( M = 4.16) and giving training on information literacy ( M = 4.03). Access to information contributes to the quality of life of society ( M = 4.41). This article provides insights for academic librarians and decision-makers into disseminating measures for promoting knowledge and skills related to the Sustainable Development Goals among students and the public community in Jordan. The study recommends some relevant strategies, such as the collaboration of academic libraries with governmental and health institutions to support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals in Jordan.

Author(s):  
Musa Umar ◽  
◽  
Uman Hassan ◽  
Mustapha Mannir ◽  
Aliyu Abubakar ◽  
...  

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is explicitly and directly linked to access to information and knowledge. This paper examines the roles of public libraries towards achieving sustainable development goals in Kaduna state. Three objectives were set out to be accomplished by the study. A survey research design was adopted using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. A total of 2903 registered users of public libraries in the Kaduna State constituted the study population, while the study sample was collected using a stratified sampling technique. A sample of 2038 was drawn from the user population of 2903, where 30% out of the sample was drawn from the six (6) selected libraries, amounting to 611 for questionnaire administration. A total of 433 (71%) questionnaires were duly completed and returned. The findings arising from the study revealed that current awareness service, library instruction services, selective dissemination of information as well as indexing and abstracting were the services provided by the libraries covered by the study. The study also indicated that public libraries are active in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Kaduna State. For example, looking at the findings, Sustainable Development Goal 4: i.e. the provision of a safe and inclusive space for lifelong learning was identified as the leading role played by the public libraries covered by the study with 174 (40.2%) responses. SDGs 3: i.e. the provision of health information and literacy to the community on pregnancy, malaria, cholera and SDGs 8: i.e. the provision of training on the use of ICT as well as assistance on online job application processes, were also identified in the study as fundamental roles played by the libraries with the same response rate of 146 (33.7%). While looking at the challenges faced by the public libraries, the study reported lack of funds, lack of current materials, language barrier, lack of trained personnel and lack of Internet access were complained by the respondents as a hindrance to effective use of information resources. Given the above challenges, the study, therefore, recommended that issues relating to funding, staffing, information resources, innovative services, infrastructure all need to be addressed by taking proper measures. When these issues are resolved, it will go a long way towards achieving the (SDGs) in Nigeria and Africa at large.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolás Gambetta ◽  
Paula Azadian ◽  
Victoria Hourcade ◽  
María Reyes

This paper explores the financing framework for sustainable development in Uruguay, an emerging economy, and examines whether available financing instruments contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in which significant progress is still required in this country. Reports, policy documents and academic literature were reviewed to determine the types of sustainable development financing instruments available, and to analyse the challenges facing emerging economies in this regard. In addition, the financing programmes available from the public sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the financial sector and multilateral credit agencies were examined. The results obtained show that the main financing sources for sustainable development are located within the public sector due to the absence of a developed financial market, and that the existing financial instruments do not address the SDGs where most attention is required. The latter circumstances make it challenging to achieve these SDGs in Uruguay. The study findings highlight the need for greater coordination among all parties to make efficient use of the scarce resources available to an emerging economy and thus enable it to meet its SDGs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Essam Mansour

The key purpose of this study is to investigate the potential role of Egyptian rural public libraries, being one of the social agents for development, towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals according to the United Nations Agenda for 2030. To meet the objectives and questions of the study, a multi-faceted research methodology was adopted and conducted in the period from September to November 2017. The study used a qualitative approach in terms of personal interview, discussion and observations of group meetings, and examination of documents to investigate the implementation of community development programmemes and services in 34 rural public libraries representing the four main administrative divisions comprising Egypt. The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals have been discussed with ways in which Egyptian rural public libraries can include and meet them. Challenges facing libraries in the provision of information (poor infrastructure, inappropriate collections and related facilities and services, high levels of illiteracy, lack of funding and cooperation between related agencies, inappropriate training of library and information professionals, lack of studies and surveys, as well as analyses of information needs of rural communities) have also been emphasized. This study concluded that Egyptian rural public libraries have struggled to be part of the United Nations Agenda for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. They have tried as much as possible to integrate and adapt to the surrounding community in light of the common economic, political and social factors and conditions. Despite these challenges, these libraries showed a good response that is characterized as somewhat positive, though not sufficient, toward the achievement of these goals.


Author(s):  
ناهد محمد بسيوني سالم

This study aims to find out the role of the public libraries in the Sultanate of Oman in achieving knowledge awareness as one of Oman’s Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve the study’s main objective, several questions regarding the public libraries’ role were proposed. To answer these questions, the study adopted a descriptive analytical-qualitative method. Twelve public libraries were covered in this study. Moreover, two qualitative tools were used: interviews with representatives from the public libraries and analyzing the contents of these libraries’ programs. The study found that public libraries’ awareness about sustainable development is medium, as some have no idea about the topic. The study also revealed that the public library focuses on sustainable development as educational aspects by providing databases and facilitating access. Moreover, besides the technical aspects, most public libraries provide the services of public computers and the internet. In addition, some of these public libraries had played a role in disseminating health awareness for society through providing First Aid training courses. However, the public libraries’ role in enhancing society’s awareness of the available job opportunities was very week. In addition, public libraries in Oman have a critical role in preserving Oman’s Documentary Heritage and provide its accessibility as most of the public libraries have a huge number of these documents. The most important recommendation of the study is that the Omani libraries’ authority should focus on developing the awareness of the specialists of the public library about sustainable development and the role of public libraries in achieving it.


Author(s):  
S. Horbliuk

Problem setting. Urban revitalization is a complex process of overcoming spatial, economic, social, cultural, ecological crisis phenomena of degraded urban territories functioning. Despite the growing attention in the development of urban policy on sustainable development, substantiation in this context of the goals and effective tools for revitalization of degraded urban areas remains an urgent task of theory and practice in public administration at the present stage. Recent research and publications analysis. Among native scientists engaged in research of various aspects in public management of sustainable territories development, it is necessary to point out: M. Averkin, V. Babayev, Z. Buryk, M. Voychuk, Z. Gerasimchuk, I. Degtyarev, V. Kuybid, O. Matveyev, O. Petroe, O. Sych, D. Tarasenko, V. Udovychenko, A. Chechel. In general, scientists have developed theoretical and methodological principles of the public policy impact on sustainable development in regions and cities. Highlighting previously unsettled parts of the general problem. However, the further development of the public administration science requires the disclosure of methodological tools for specific local policies to ensure sustainable development, particularly the revitalization of the city. This problem has not yet been covered in native science. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the goals and identify effective tools for sustainable development of the degraded territory, which should be used by urban governments in developing a policy of urban revitalization, based on the analysis of the evolution of the concept for world’s sustainable development. Paper main body. Since the end of the twentieth century the concept of sustainable development is reflected at the local level, emphasizing the responsibility of local authorities implementing its goals. In the adopted Agenda for the XXI century (2015) the territorial dimension of sustainable development was emphasized, particularly the importance of endogenous factors and mechanisms of development “from the bottom up”. At the same time, rapid urbanization in the world has highlighted the role of cities in which there is an urgent need to balance development. Thus, in economically developed countries, the revitalization of degraded urban areas is becoming widespread as an instrument of sustainable development policy at the local level. Given the inevitability of urbanization and the growing importance of cities in the global economy, for the first time a separate sustainable development goal – “11. Sustainable development of cities and communities” was identified. Therefore, the actions of public authorities should be aimed to ensure the openness, security and sustainability of cities. In turn, the revitalization of cities should contribute to the achievement of 11 global goals, as well as ensure the implementation of other goals of the Global Agenda. There are many tools to ensure the sustainable development of the degraded area in the process of the city revitalization. In countries, they differ according to their historical, legal, spatial and other conditions. Conclusions of the research and prospects for further studies. Local governments are key players in the implementation of the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development until 2030, including the Sustainable Development Goals. They must develop effective measures to address socially significant issues that hamper sustainable development, including overcoming the degradation of urban areas. The guidelines for the formation of the city’s revitalization policy should be 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as they contain the main tasks of economic, social and environmental nature for the territory development. All Sustainable Development Goals in the process of revitalization of degraded urban areas can be achieved using the following groups of tools: planning, support, market, financial, tax and other legal instruments. Further research should focus on the study of tools for public participation in the development of policies for the city revitalization, which in modern conditions belong to the basic methodological foundations of urban management.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matias Acosta ◽  
Zsofia Szlamka ◽  
Mohammed A. Mostajo-Radji

According to the United Nations (UN), 41% of the world’s population is under the age of 24 (United Nations Population Division). Despite being a considerably large group, the youth has been commonly underrepresented in decision-making in the public and private sectors. To combat this situation, the UN launched the Youth 2030 strategy in 2018 thereby recognizing the need to empower the youth to reach their full potential (Youth 2030: The UN Youth Strategy). In this contribution, we provide a brief description of some of the recent transnational youth networks (TYNs) and their features in order to discuss the role of such networks to empower the youth. We propose here that such networks constitute a novel and powerful form of public diplomacy (PD) because of their experiential educational aspects that they develop in their members. Moreover, these networks also offer a rather unique opportunity of building interpersonal relationships among global prominent individuals thereby influencing the international agenda. We further discuss how such networks can advance substantially the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda (Sustainable Development Goals).


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Barbara Heinisch

Translation plays an important role in all areas of human activity. Despite its primary role of overcoming language barriers, it is used as an analogy for activities that require transfer, mediation, or negotiation of meaning. Knowledge translation is a concept that links knowledge to action, which is also at the heart of citizen science. Several studies have highlighted the ways in which citizen science can contribute to the definition, monitoring and implementation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although these studies emphasized the importance of data contributions for SDG reporting and monitoring purposes, this paper applies the concept of knowledge translation to citizen science for achieving the SDGs based on the conceptual framework provided by translation studies. Knowledge translation, citizen science, and the SDGs have their focus on actions and negotiations in common. Citizen science can, thus, be regarded as a mediator between science and the SDGs or a mediator between the public and policymakers. Exemplified by biocultural diversity, this paper analyzes the application of knowledge translation to the SDGs in and through citizen science. Citizen science guided by the SDGs requires different forms of knowledge ((and) translation) that are usable, accessible, and meaningful.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-14
Author(s):  
Franziska Corradini

“How did the release of the Agenda 2030 with its17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) affect libraries in German-speaking regions?” was the leading research question in my bachelor thesis. To analyse the situation, I did a case study, based on a literature review.Findings are that the SDG publication influenced particularly the library associations in Germany and Switzerland. Most actual libraries, though, are probably not familiar yet with the SDGs. Nevertheless, there exists in Austria an outstanding model in (library-)cooperation and SDG platform Bildung 2030. As there are hardly any articles about medical libraries contributing to the SDG discussion, there is unused potential for medical and health libraries to contribute. High potential lies within cooperation between public libraries and medical and health libraries, to spread health literacy to the public.


World Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3(43)) ◽  
pp. 36-39
Author(s):  
Kiptenko V. K.

Responding to the global concern on sustainable development, the consistency of localized and global/regional practices impacts the public and civil, economic, social and cultural domains. Challenges of coherent and efficient monitoring system mark the Ukraine’s path and leave space for improvement. The scrutiny of academic and institutional efforts in monitoring the sustainable development, sustainable development goals implementation reveals shortcomings and pitfalls in metadata provision, tools for data collection and processing, congruence of understanding and interpreting the concepts. The outcomes serve to substantiation of the research and educational objectives for examination of the indicator analysis design for better policy- and decision-making, public awareness, spatial patterns representation.


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