“The Way Forward for an Egyptian Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty” Symposium
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The BA is holding the “On the Way Forward for an Egyptian Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty” Symposium on 12 February 2017 from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Delegates Hall, BA Conference Center. The conference is organized by the Digital Talking Book Section (BA Library Sector) in cooperation with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Section on Library Serving Persons with Print Disabilities (LPD) and the World Blind Union.
The symposium aims to bring together relevant stakeholders from Egyptian library and visually impaired communities with appropriate government, parliamentary, and legislative leaders to come up with an Egyptian solution to the lack of accessible books and educational resources for blind and visually impaired people in Egypt.
The event is expected to result in an agreement on the formation of a national committee or alliance that includes all stakeholder groups to call for the ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty, as well as the development of strategic work plans for the Egyptian ratification process and for the development of a network of effective authorized entities—including libraries and universities—to provide accessible materials for people with print disabilities.
The event will be attended by a group of Egyptian figures concerned with the Marrakesh Treaty, and they will be representing various entities, including the parliament; the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Communication, Culture, and Education; a number of Egyptian universities; libraries that serve the blind and visually impaired; and representatives of different publishing houses.
Several international IFLA/LPD representatives from various countries will also be among the attendees, including Karen Keninger, Chair of IFLA/LPD and director of National Library service for the blind and physically handicapped at the Library of Congress, USA; Christopher Friend, WBU Technical Advisor on the Marrakesh treaty; Richard Orme, CEO, DAISY Consortium; as well as directors of libraries specialized in providing services for the blind and visually impaired from Europe, America, and Australia.
The foreign delegation is also holding the midwinter meeting of the IFLA/LPD standing committee on Monday and Tuesday, 13–14 February from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm in the fourth floor Floating Room (F4), BA Main Building.
To view the “On the Way Forward for an Egyptian Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty” program, please click here.