Dear friends,

The basic idea of any library is free access to information and freedom of expression. This implies free access to free expression of the thoughts of others, whenever, wherever and however these thoughts are expressed.

Over the last fifty years we have grown familiar with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 19 in the Declaration states that:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

I would like to congratulate the IFLA Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression on it’s significant effort to defend and promote these basic human rights.

It is part of the rock bottom of human values, which to me can never be compromised or made relative to other considerations. I feel confident that any general justification of freedom of expression shares the general ideas of what it is to be a human being.

A universal line of reasoning for freedom of expression should be supplemented by arguments rooted in the context of the society. (where freedom of expression is being implemented.) These conditions vary with time and place. The defence for freedom of expression will be shaped accordingly in the individual nation's constitution. In a society with well developed public institutions, freedom of expression can encourage truth, democracy and exchange of ideas. Mature, enlightened citizens develop an understanding for when to say what, according to what benefits society in a broader context.

Last spring, I had the privilege to present the Norwegian gift to the new library of Alexandria in Egypt. This was a database called, Beacon for Freedom of Expression. This took place within the framework of a conference on freedom of expression, hosted by Norway. The database is a unique global reference catalogue containing bibliographical data on censored books and newspapers, past and present. It also contains data on literature on censorship and freedom of expression. My hope is that this database will strengthen intellectual freedom, the core of the library concept. The database Beacon for Freedom of Expression is aimed at facilitating dialogue between the world's cultures on the significance of freedom of expression and free access to information as vital parts of democracy and peace worldwide. I am happy to announce that the next conference on the Beacon for Freedom of Expression will be held in Bibliotheca Alexandrina on 18 to 20 September 2004.

Delivery of high quality library and information services helps guarantee universal and fair access to information, ideas and works of imagination. The Internet provides a medium where the right of freedom of access to information may be enjoyed by all. Libraries and information services play an increasingly important role in our digital times as they provide essential gateways to the Internet.

Fundamental democratic principles must be guaranteed also in times marked by fear of terrorism. The Patriot Act is part of domestic US legislation to counter terrorism. All counterterrorism measures must be in conformity with international law and fundamental human rights. Any measure that might lead to less public interest in libraries and the borrowing of books from libraries should be avoided, unless justified by serious reasons.

Universal and fair access to digital information resources and services is an important goal in Norwegian library policy. Under the backing of the Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority, we are about to develop a Norwegian digital library. This will be an organised collection of services and content resources that will give users access to information in digital form transmitted through the computer network. This system will rise above individual libraries and make the total digital information resources and services available to all in a simple manner.

One of the main goals for the development of the library sector in the years ahead is to facilitate a “seamless” library service. In practice, this means optimum user access through coordinated information resources across institutional and other borders.

Under the Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum authority studies will be carried out on crucial issues in the library sector. The current division of responsibility and organisation of services will be looked into to ensure that the system is as rational and well adapted to user needs as possible.

The National Library is the most important institutional player in the Norwegian library sector. During the years up to 2005 the Oslo Division will undergo a major transition in order to improve the conditions and access for the users to the library collections. Further development of the National Library as the driving force in Norwegian library services will have the highest priority. I am happy to announce that there will be a grand opening of the National Library during the IFLA Congress in Oslo August 2005.

The motto of the Congress is “A Voyage of Discovery” – casting the library in the vision of a vessel of discovery, among the endless stories and fates described in fiction and non-fiction, which embrace the collective possibilities of humankind.

Norway is proud to be host to the 2005 congress. His Majesty, King Harald V of Norway is the patron of the Conference. The event is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and of the Ministry of Education and Research, as well as the Library Central of Norway.

I am looking forward to seeing you in Oslo in 2005, at a compact conference in the heart of the city.

Thank you for your attention.