Call for Papers: 16th Standing Conference of Eastern, Central, & Southern African Library & Information Professionals, 06/03

THE SIXTEENTH STANDING CONFERENCE OF EASTERN, CENTRAL, AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS
(SCECSAL XVI), 5TH - 9TH JULY 2004, KAMPALA, UGANDA

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS

Invitation:

The SCECSAL XVI Organizing Committee has the pleasure of inviting Library and Information Professionals to the sixteenth Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Professionals (SCECSAL XVI) to be hosted by the Uganda Library Association in Kampala. This is the second time in the history of SCECSAL that Uganda Library Association will host colleagues from the region and beyond.

The Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Professionals (SCECSAL) derives its origins from the East African Library Association (EALA) founded in 1957. In 1970, when participating countries dissolved the EALA, they agreed to retain the biennial conference. Countries in the sub-region were invited to the next biennial conference that was held in Dar Es Salaam. With time, more countries joined the conference. As of now, SCECSAL is possibly the largest and fastest growing professional association in Africa. Today, the conference is characterized by a great diversity of ideas and experiences, which make it an outstanding Library and Information event on the African professional calendar.

The first SCECSAL was held in the city of Dar Es Salaam (1974) and subsequently Lusaka (1976), Nairobi (1978), Maseru (1980), Blantyre (1982), Harare (1984), Gaborone (1986), Mbabane (1988), Kampala (1990), Dar Es Salaam (1992), Blantyre (1994), Maseru (1996), Nairobi (1998), Windhoek (2000) and Johannesburg (2002). In July 2004, African Library and Information Professionals, together with their partners, will converge in the City of Kampala with the mission of changing the course of history by laying strategies to make information and knowledge tools for changing Africa into a developed society.

Theme:

Towards a Knowledge Society for African Development.

The theme draws on the inspiration that information and knowledge are the catalysts that will empower Africa in her quest for development. It is built on the doctrine that by pursuing information for all, African Library and Information professionals will become key actors in the attainment of the African Renaissance, the vision of a prosperous and peaceful continent.

SCECSAL XVI Organizing Committee invites interested persons to send abstracts for papers on the sub-themes listed below:

1. Bridging the digital divide
2. From Indigenous to modern knowledge systems 3. Knowledge management
4. Information for healthcare
5. Information, governance and civil society 6. Knowledge economy
7. Education and training
8. Information and the disadvantaged groups 9. Information and Gender

Requirements for Submission of Abstracts for Papers:

Submissions can be made by email, post or fax. Submissions should include name, postal address, email address, telephone, and fax. Abstracts should not exceed 300 words.

The committee welcomes home grown papers that show innovative ideas, report on research results, case studies, experiences, best practices, etc.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 21 June 2003. You will be notified by 28 August 2003 whether or not your paper has been accepted and will then be given further information on required formats and deadlines.
Make Submissions to:

Mr. Phenny Birungi
Co-Chairperson,
SCECSAL XVI Organizing Committee
P O Box 4262, Kampala
Tel 256-41-233633 or 256-41-254661
Fax 256-41-348625
Email library@imul.com

SCECSAL XVI SECRETARIAT
UGANDA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
P O BOX 5894, KAMPALA
TEL. 00025677580287 (MOBILE) 00025641233633 (OFFICE)
FAX 000256-41-348625
MAKE IT YOUR PRIORITY TO ATTEND SCECSAL XVI, 2004, KAMPALA
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