Two University of Johannesburg (UJ) academics have been selected to be part of the UNESCO National Information for All Programme (IFAP) Committee.

The Information for All Programme (IFAP) is a UNESCO intergovernmental programme established in 2001. The aim of the programme is to narrow the gap between the information-rich and the information-poor. It is designed to support the development of an inclusive knowledge society and to help member states build effective information policies and knowledge strategies in the world increasingly using ICT.

Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Media, Dr Prinola Govenden and Head of Department of the Department of Information and Knowledge Management Dr Sithembiso Khumalo are the two academics from UJ serving on the committee.

The  launch took place on the18th of November 2024 at the University of Pretoria, which is the hosting University for the committee. The event was aimed at officially introducing the committee members and for an official welcome by the Secretary-general of the South African National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Regional Director and Representative.

The Secretary-general of the South African National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Regional Director and Representative gave welcome and introductory addresses and officially declared the committee functional. The event was attended by more than 50 participants, ranging from the Government sector, Academia and Industry.

Through IFAP, member and partner governments pledge to harness the new opportunities of the information age to create equitable societies through better access to information.