ACURIL 2015 SURINAME HIGHLIGHTS
JANE SMITH'S PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
JANE W. F. SMITH, ACURIL PRESIDENT, at the Opening Ceremony, Sunday 7 June 2015, Grand Ballroom, Torarica Hotel & Casino
Director of Culture and other distinguished guests,
Distinguished Past Presidents of ACURIL
ACURIL Executive Board,
Members of ACURIL, Participants 45th ACURIL Conference,
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Goedenavond, Good evening, Buenas noches, Bon Nuit.
I am so happy to welcome you all in Suriname, my beautiful country. It is one of the smallest countries in South America and contains the Central Nature Reserve which is the largest protected tropical rain forest in the world.
The Association of Caribbean University, Research and Institutional Libraries (ACURIL) is the association for Caribbean information professionals. It aims to facilitate:
· developments in information services,
· strengthening of the information profession,
· collaboration of all information workers,
· access to information for All.
Originally the organization was only for academic libraries, today ACURIL includes all information units in the region: all types of libraries (public, national, school, special and academic) as well as archives and museums.
In the coming days we will discuss the benefits of continuing education; we will hold a mirror up to a look at ourselves as information professionals. I am pleased to inform you that the conference theme Collaborative Continuous Education has three subthemes which will be illuminated by three keynote speakers, Harold Koning, Fay Durrant and Eric Block. Furthermore there are more than 20 papers, 25 presenters, 08 workshops, and posters and 03 library visits.
As social activities we have a Cultural Night, sponsored by the Government of Suriname (Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). You will learn more about the various cultures in Suriname.
Secondly, we have prepared a real Surinam party to present you the environment and flavor in which we Surinamese celebrate.
We all work very hard, but are we really happy with the job we do? Doing a good job can only be realized when you educate yourself continuously. Therefore, continuing education is the key to staying on top of developments. This means getting ahead in the sector, updating old skills and learning new ones, advancing your career and staying up-to-date.
Bear in mind that what is happening in libraries is a result of what is happening in social life, social organizations and the global economic trends. Change is happening and more change is coming!!!
I urge you to attend as much presentations as possible, make sure to visit the ACURIL Exhibitions and chat with the vendors, you can also register for the vendors lunches. Visit the Posters at the Caribbean Libraries Boulevard and learn about research being conducted and best practices.
As these days will be a lot of business, try to take advantage of any spare time to learn more about Suriname. I tell you, I am sure that you will be motivated to return to have a vacation and explore Suriname.
Hosting the ACURIL Conference for the first time in Suriname was quite a challenge. Planning for nearly 175 participants has been a real challenge.
Thanks to all presenters, exhibitors and participants. A special thanks to the Local Organizing Committee under the direction of Mrs. Stella Pollack-Leeflang.
I am grateful to all sponsors for their contribution and to you for participating in this conference.
Thank you very much,
Jane W.F. Smith, MA
ACURIL President 2014-2015
Director Library
University of Suriname
P.O. Box 9212
Leysweg 86
Paramaribo
Suriname
Tel. 597-464547
Fax: 597-434211
E-mail: jane.smith@uvs.edu
Skype: janew.f.smith
Website: http://ub.uvs.edu/
45th ACURIL Conference 2015
7-11 June 2015
Hotel Torarica and Casino
Paramaribo Suriname
URL: http://www.acuril2015.sr/
BETTY SEDOC-DAHLBERT was the Keynote Speaker at the Opening Ceremony
The Surinamese independent researcher and writer, Dr. Betty Sedoc-Dahlberg, opened the 2015 ACURIL Conference on Sunday evening, 7 June 2015, at the Torarica Hotel & Casino.
Dr. Sedoc-Dahlberg is the editor of the book entitled Dutch Caribbean: Prospects for Democracy, published in 1990, by Harewood Academic Publishers as well as the essay collection Democracy and the Human Rights in the Caribbean (1997), co-edited with Ivelaw L. Griffith. Read preview.
Researcher Sedoc-Dahlberg message dealt with the theme Collaborative Continuing Education in the Global South : A Perspective from Social Sciences.
ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN UNIVERSITY, RESEARCH AND INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARIES
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