From November 29-30, 2022, the 18th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL XVIII) hosted by the National Library of Cambodia in collaboration with the Library Association of Cambodia took place online with the theme “Libraries United: Raising to the Challenges”.
There were approximately 700 delegates from 23 countries in the region and the world attending the Congress, in which Viet Nam had more than 100 delegates, ranking second position. At the opening ceremony of the Congress, keynote speeches by Mr. Hok Sothik – Chairman of the CONSAL XVIII Organizing Committee, Dr. Phoung Sakona – Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia, Ms. Khlot Vibola – Director of the National Library of Cambodia all affirmed the important role of libraries for the sustainable development of the society, and emphasized the need for solidarity and extensive cooperation within ASEAN libraries to overcome challenges together in the post-COVID-19 new normal era.
Held every three years, the CONSAL Congress is the largest and most prestigious scientific forum in Southeast Asia in the field of Information – Library. The Congress is a venue where libraries in member countries have the opportunity to learn, grasp new development trends, research, exchange and share experiences, and participate in joint projects and seek cooperation opportunities with other countries in the region and in the world.
There were a total of 38 papers by delegates from member countries to be selected to present at the Congress, of which Viet Nam had 4 presentations of the National Library of Viet Nam and three other academic libraries on such topics as connecting digital library system towards smart library services, digitization of Indochina newspapers, mental health care for librarians, professional development needs of librarians in the digital age. Presentations of the Congress mentioned outstanding challenges libraries in the region are facing with, some of the solutions proposed by the speakers were enthusiastically discussed and exchanged by delegates.
Speeches by keynote speakers representing International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific all recognized the dynamic development of the Southeast Asian libraries and gave orientations for libraries in the coming time need a dramatic change, should unite and plan future together to affirm the library’s values with such actions as: inspiring librarians, raising the library’s voice to confirm its position, actively participate and connect widely with the social community, proactively equip necessary skills… contributing to improve quality of the people’s lives and the sustainable development of the society.
At the closing session of the Congress, Gold Prize of the CONSAL XVIII Outstanding Librarian Award was presented to Dr. Nor Edzan Che Nasir, former President of the Library Association of Malaysia, 2 Silver Prizes were presented to Ms. Myat Sann Nyein – Vice President of the Library Association of Myanmar and Ms. Suchit Suvaphab – Leader of the Thai Humanities Library Project. The CONSAL flag were handed over to the next host of CONSAL XIX term 2023-2025, the Library Association of Malaysia and the National Library of Malaysia, in the presence of delegates attending the Congress.
Besides the plenary session, the Vietnamese Library Association led by Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Anh – Deputy Director of the National Library of Viet Nam attended the 3rd CONSAL XVIII Executive Board meeting, listening to reports on preparation of the Congress, CONSAL projects, reports on activities of libraries in member countries and operation directions of the Association in the following years. At this meeting, the Vietnamese delegation has actively discussed and commented on the development of CONSAL website, face book, CONSAL archives as well as profile of library education in ASEAN. At the same time, the Vietnamese delegation also presented country reports on activities and outstanding successes of the National Library of Viet Nam, of the Vietnamese Library Association and of libraries across the country in general during the last time.
Photos of the same event:
Delegates attend the CONSAL XVIII Congress
Organizing Committee of CONSAL XVIII Congress
Dr. Phoeung Sakona – Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia delivers the opening speech of the CONSAL XVIII Congress
Delegation of the National Library of Viet Nam and Vietnamese Library Association attend the CONSAL XVIII Congress
Speaker Nguyen Luong Ninh – National Library of Viet Nam presents paper at the Congress
Gold Prize and Silver Prizes winners of the CONSAL XVIII Outstanding Librarian Awards
Ceremony of transferring the CONSAL flag to the next host country - Malaysia
Mr. Ghazali Mohamed Fadzil – President of the Library Association of Malaysia gives remarks at the ceremony to receive the flag to host CONSAL XIX
Ms. Khlot Vibolla, Director of the National Library of Cambodia delivers the Closing Remarks of CONSAL XVIII Congress
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News: Hoang Giang; Photos: Luong Ninh.