Enhancing Access to Knowledge for the Achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Zimbabwe: the Role of Libraries

Keynote Address delivered at a Workshop for the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium, 26th to 27th July, 2010, Harare, Zimbabwe by Lawton Hikwa,In 2002, the United Nations set eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be achieved by 2015. The MDGs which range from halving extreme poverty to eradicating the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education by the target date of 2015 form the blueprint agreed to by all countries and leading development institutions in the world. Given the limited capacities of most African governments, it became imperative that other organisations concern themselves with the achievement of the MDGs within the set target.iii Libraries and the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC) in particular, are no exception and must play their part in the process. To appreciate how Zimbabwe has set itself towards the achievement of the MDGs, it is necessary to understand the nation?s vision within the context of the MDGs, envisaged national key results areas and goals. In conclusion, the paper suggests how libraries have attempted to enhance access to knowledge for the achievement of MDGs