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 [email protected] [2]

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
http://www.ou.edu/cas/slis/ULA/ula_index.htm [3]