The University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Dr Sithembiso Khumalo has 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.

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. This committee is important to me as it will enable me to impact through policy and regulations on information access and equal distribution of information and technology resources.

“In a world of technology and misinformation we need to develop information skills” Nisha Takes Helm – UNESCO Regional Director and Representative

Dr Khumalo is the Head of Department (HOD of Information and Knowledge Management, in the College of Business and Economics.