Representation of countries in IFLA

Abstract

This study investigates the participation of countries in one of the leading international library organizations, IFLA. IFLA has aimed to strengthen libraries for a more literate, informed and participatory society. Its structure includes Sections, a Governing Board, and Regional and Professional Divisions. From an exploratory investigation on the IFLA web pages, the author surveyed the participation of countries in the entire structure, the nationality of the presidents and the headquarters of the World Library and Information Congress. The need for the organization to expand its regional diversity through internal policies stands out, since Global South countries, such as those in Latin America and Africa, occupy few places. Since IFLA is the main global entity in librarianship, it is essential to expand these representations, from participation in its structure to the possibility of a president-elect from these regions or the largest congress being hosted in these areas more often.