Egypt: Web platform to increase developing world’s access to knowledge

The Egyptian library, Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), based in the city of Alexandria, launched, on March 30, an electronic platform that aims to become the leading source of information on 'access to knowledge' in the Arab region and the world. The platform, called A2K, aims to raise awareness about the role that knowledge and information has within development world wide, and particularly in the Arab region.

A2K provides an interactive forum and an opportunity for visitors to interact and contribute through several discussion forums and periodical consultations that will also host prominent international researchers and practitioners.

Access to knowledge often denied to developing countries
The BA?s activity comes against the backdrop of the need to remedy the negative effects of obstacles denying developing countries access to international knowledge that would contribute to their development processes and to the advancement of human intellect.

Such obstacles result from the rising trend of using international intellectual property protection rules and regulations by developed countries for the purposes of exclusivity, therefore, blocking the use of such knowledge by developing countries to create new knowledge.

Being aware of such challenges, and in view of its role in disseminating knowledge and contributing to scientific progress and consequently economic and social development, the BA has undertaken the responsibility to promote for the importance of A2K, especially on the regional Arab level, and moving on to the international level.

More info:

• www.bibalex.org