The Information for All Programme (IFAP) is an intergovernmental programme, created by UNESCO in 2000. Through IFAP, Governments of the world have pledged to harness the new opportunities of the information age to create equitable societies through better access to information.

 

The last decade has witnessed technological development at a scale and speed unprecedented in the history of humankind. The challenge the world faces is to ensure equitable access for all people to seize these new opportunities. Information is central to development. Information is essential for survival and sustainability. Information is the pathway to understanding and peace. The Information for All Programme is UNESCO's response to the challenges and opportunities of the Information Society. 

Indeed, Information helps to tackle some of the world’s most critical issues – poverty, health, quality education, disaster prevention, governance and care for the environment. Information contributes directly to economic growth. HIV/AIDS is now recognized as a problem deriving primarily from a lack of information. Teachers and students require access to quality learning resources. Early warning systems can help reduce the loss of life from natural disasters. Publicity accessible information on political decisions is essential for good governance. Information about the effects of pollutants can help societies create more sustainable futures.

 

The Information for All Programme seeks to address these crucial issues by narrowing the gap between the information rich and the information poor. It provides a framework for international cooperation and partnership and supports the development of common strategies, methods and tools for building an Information Society for all, or in other words, for building inclusive and pluralist Knowledge Societies.