Parliamentary libraries must evolve to support democracy in the digital age Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, speaker of the National Assembly, Swakopmund, Namibia, 16 June 2025. I am honoured to address this conference which marks the 22nd annual conference of the Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Eastern and Southern Africa hosted here in the Republic of Namibia. The theme for this conference – ‘Parliamentary Libraries and Democracy in the Digital Age’ – comes at an opportune time when the advent of technology has led to a significant shift towards digital libraries that can provide access to digitalised collections of books, audiovisual materials and other documents. This has allowed users to search and view material online wherever they are. At the onset, I commend the leadership and organisers as this conference presents an opportunity to engage on the role of parliamentary libraries, especially in times of digital transformation. Parliamentary libraries are specialised and uniquely designed to support legislators with information to equip them to execute their duties effectively, thus upholding the foundations of democracy: transparency, accountability, accessibility, and informed governance.  Furthermore, they act as repositories of institutional memory, housing everything from legal documents and historical records to expert research and policy briefs. This body of knowledge ensures that legislatures operate effectively. Namibia took a decisive and historic step with the enactment of the Access to Information Act in 2022, a landmark that affirms the right of every Namibian to access information. Transparency and accountability are promoted and upheld in the process. Digitalisation plays a significant role in the effective implementation of this law through online platforms. The envisaged appointment of an independent information commissioner will complement this effort. Namibia’s parliamentary library is embracing digital transformation through several strategic initiatives aimed at modernising information services and enhancing public access. The National Assembly Strategic Plan (2023–2027) and the e-Parliament Strategy support the digitisation of parliamentary processes by improving access to online documents such as committee reports and order papers. Furthermore, the library envisions establishing a central digital archive (using the open-source platform D-Space) to provide easy access to key parliamentary records, such as debates, committee reports, and ministerial statements for members of parliament, staff, and the public. Historical records will be digitised to uphold transparency, preserve institutional memory, and foster digital civic engagement. While digital libraries come with immense benefits that could be harnessed to enable informed decision-making and citizen engagement, many parliaments are still faced with numerous challenges. These include insufficient funding allocated to information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and equipment, copyright and licensing complexities, and the need for specialised expertise. This in turn affects our efforts to adapt to rapid technological changes. As we navigate the digital space, we ought to be aware of some of the negative effects, such as infringement of copyright laws, particularly when digitising and distributing material. There is, therefore, a need to ensure that these challenges are addressed. Lack of digital literacy can also severely hinder access to and use of digital resources.  As we transition, we need to capacitate the stakeholders, who are the staff and members of parliament, to ensure that the digitalisation process is fully optimised. In addressing some of the challenges, it is imperative that we continue to learn from one another so as to improve efficiency and competence in our parliaments by leveraging the opportunity provided by this conference.  The Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Eastern and Southern Africa (Aplesa) should not only be a forum for discussion but a catalyst for shared skills, knowledge and experiences. In conclusion, I commend Aplesa and all represented member parliaments for your continued dedication to this work. Your presence here affirms that the intellectual and ethical infrastructure of African democracies is strong and growing stronger. Let us depart from this conference with actionable targets that will provide a roadmap for progress. Let us work together to ensure that every parliamentary library, regardless of size, location, or resources, is adequately capacitated to legislate wisely, inclusively, and in the best interest of our people. It is now my distinct honour to declare the 22nd Aplesa conference officially open and wish you all fruitful deliberations. I thank you. OPENING-REMARKS-BY-THE-HON.-SPEAKER-OF-NATIONAL-ASSEMBLY-AT-THE-APLESA-CONFERENCE-16-JUNE-2025-SWAKOPMUND-1Download The post Parliamentary libraries must evolve to support democracy in the digital age appeared first on The Namibian.

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Parliamentary libraries vital for digital democracy, speaker says National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says parliamentary libraries play a vital role in equipping legislators with the information they need to uphold democracy through transparency, accountability and evidence-based lawmaking. She said this at the opening of the 22nd Annual Conference of the Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Eastern and Southern Africa (Aplesa) at Swakopmund yesterday. “Parliamentary libraries are uniquely designed to support legislators with specialised knowledge. They are not only knowledge repositories, but also guardians of institutional memory. As we embrace digital transformation, we must ensure these libraries are adequately equipped and accessible,” she said. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila highlighted Namibia’s own strides, citing the enactment of the Access to Information Act in 2022 as a landmark moment in promoting government transparency. She also outlined ongoing digitalisation efforts under the National Assembly’s 2023-2027 strategic plan and the e-parliament strategy, which aim to modernise information services through digitised records and online access to parliamentary documents. Echoing this sentiment, Aplesa president Isaiah Munyoro praised Namibia for hosting the gathering for the third time, a testament to the country’s enduring commitment to the advancement of parliamentary libraries across the continent. He reiterated Aplesa’s dedication to developing training and capacity-building initiatives between conferences, with Namibia set to serve as a case study in future workshops. “Parliamentary libraries are more than repositories of books, they are essential gateways to knowledge, enabling transparency, informed decisions, and civic engagement. As custodians of parliamentary information services, let us ensure that these libraries remain digitally equipped and relevant in the digital era,” Mu­nyoro said. National Council secretary advocate Tousy Namiseb reflected on the deeper significance of access to information in a democratic society, challenging common perceptions of libraries as merely quiet rooms filled with books. “Access to information is the heartbeat of this conference. When legislators are tasked with complex decisions, they must be supported by libraries that are not relics of the past but dynamic hubs of information, especially in the age of artificial intelligence.” Themed ‘Parliamentary Libraries and Democracy in the Digital Age’, the event brought together delegates from over 12 African countries to engage in dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and professional development in the realm of parliamentary information services and democratic governance in the digital era. – Nampa The post Parliamentary libraries vital for digital democracy, speaker says appeared first on The Namibian.

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Parliamentary Libraries Association convenes conference in Swakopmund Parliamentary Libraries Association convenes conference in Swakopmund NBC Online Tue, 06/17/2025 - 14:44

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Digital challenges and opportunities abound in parliamentary libraries Niël Terblanché The 22nd Annual Conference of the Association of Parliamentary Libraries of Eastern and Southern Africa opened in Swakopmund on Monday with a call to strengthen the role of parliamentary libraries in democratic governance amid rapid technological change. Themed “Parliamentary Libraries and Democracy in the Digital Age”, the week-long gathering drew more than 40 delegates from across the eastern and southern regions of the continent. Addressing delegates at the opening, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, spoke about the evolving function of parliamentary libraries. She said these institutions are not merely book repositories but serve as critical support systems for legislators. “They act as repositories of institutional memory, housing everything from legal documents and historical records to expert research and policy briefs. This body of knowledge ensures that Legislatures operate effectively,” she said. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila pointed to the country’s Access to Information Act of 2022 as a clear affirmation of the country’s dedication to transparency and democratic participation. She said the law reinforces the right of every Namibian to access information and that digital platforms are key to achieving this. “Namibia’s Parliamentary Library is embracing digital transformation through several strategic initiatives aimed at modernising information services and enhancing public access,” she said. Among these are the National Assembly strategic plan for 2023–2027 and the E-Parliament Strategy, which support the digitisation of parliamentary processes. According to the Kuukongelwa-Amadhila, these efforts include making committee reports, order papers and other legislative documents more readily available online. She cautioned that the shift to digital platforms comes with difficulties. “This, in turn, affects our efforts to adapt to rapid technological changes,” she said, mentioning constraints such as limited ICT infrastructure funding, copyright issues, and the shortage of specialised personnel. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called for continued collaboration among parliaments in the region, adding that such conferences create opportunities to share solutions and improve institutional efficiency.

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