ASSOCIATION OF PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARIANS OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
NEW DELHI COMMUNIQUE
ADOPTED BY
THE EIGHTH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARIANS OF
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (APLAP)
NEW DELHI, INDIA
18-22 JANUARY 2005
The Eighth Biennial Conference of the Association of Parliamentary Librarians of Asia and the Pacific (APLAP) met in New Delhi, India, from 18 to 22 January 2005. Sixty-eight Delegates/Observers from forty Parliaments/Legislatures attended the Conference which was hosted by the Parliament of India.
The Conference was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, on 18 January 2005. The Hon'ble Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Sardar Charnjit Singh Atwal, the Learned Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Mr. G.C. Malhotra, President of APLAP, Mr. R.C. Ahuja, and the Secretary of APLAP, Ms. Roslynn Membrey, addressed the participants at the inaugural function.
The Conference which met in Six Sessions deliberated on the main Theme "Changing Dimensions of Parliamentary Library and Information Services in the Third Millennium". The Keynote Address on the theme was delivered by the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Mr. G.C. Malhotra, on 19 January 2005. The remaining five Sessions were devoted to five related themes, viz. "Research and Reference Services for Members"; "Library Services for Members"; "Bringing Parliament nearer to the People: Communicating Parliament"; "IT in Parliamentary Library and Information Services"; and "Changing Dimensions of Library and Information Services in India", the Keynote Addresses of which were delivered by Ms. Katherine Close (New Zealand); Ms. Roslynn Membrey (Australia); Mr. N.K. Sapra (India); Dr. Karl-Min Ku (Chinese Taipei); and Dr. Jagdish Arora (IIT, Delhi, India), respectively.
The Keynote Addresses set the tone for the discussions that followed. Country Papers presented by Learned Delegates delineated the operational dynamics of Library and Information Management in their Legislatures. The discussions centering around the main theme focused on sharing of experiences and identifying areas of common concern which warranted concerted action in the new Millennium. The Conference whole-heartedly welcomed the idea of an APLAP Network mooted by the Distinguished Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Mr. G.C. Malhotra. Delegates and Observers emphasised that an APLAP Network will go a long way in furthering the cause of resource sharing and effective information management in the Parliaments of the Asia-Pacific Region. The Conference also stressed that the APLAP should pursue this idea with all vigour as one of the items on its Agenda of the future as emanating from the Eighth Biennial Conference of the APLAP in New Delhi.
The APLAP Executive Committee respectfully calls upon the Presiding Officers of the Parliaments of the Asia-Pacific region to support the work of the APLAP and individual Parliamentary Libraries in their endeavours.
The Executive Committee of the APLAP expressed its profound gratitude to the Hon'ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, for his kind support in hosting the Conference and also thanked all Presiding Officers of the Member/participating Legislatures for nominating Delegates/ Observers to the New Delhi Conference.
The Conference, which commenced with the observance of one minute's silence in memory of the victims of the recent Tsunami devastation, also adopted a Condolence Resolution in this regard.
The New Delhi Conference, without doubt, has been a major milestone in furthering the objectives of the Association of Parliamentary Librarians of Asia and the Pacific.
The members in the General Business Meeting elected the following officers of APLAP until the next Biennial Conference:
President: Dr. Karl Min Ku
Vice-President for Asia: Ms. Azeemunnisa Khan
Vice-President for Pacific: Ms. Katherine Close
Secretary: Ms. Roslynn Membrey
Treasurer: Ms. Rasieli Bau
Members of the APLAP wish to thank the Parliament of New Zealand which has offered to host the Ninth Biennial Conference of the APLAP in Wellington, New Zealand, in 2006.
ROSLYNN MEMBREY RAMESH CHANDER AHUJA
(SECRETARY, APLAP) (PRESIDENT, APLAP)
NEW DELHI NEW DELHI
(22.1.2005) (22.1.2005)
CONDOLENCE RESOLUTION
ADOPTED BY
THE EIGHTH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARIANS OF
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (APLAP)
NEW DELHI, INDIA
18-22 JANUARY, 2005
The Eighth Biennial Conference of the Association of Parliamentary Librarians of Asia and the Pacific (APLAP), meeting in New Delhi from 18 to 22 January 2005, expresses its deep anguish and profound sorrow at the massive loss of lives and property in the wake of the Tsunami devastation which struck several countries in December 2004. The Conference extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The Conference also trusts that relief and rehabilitation of the injured and all of those affected will help them tide over the crisis
THE APLAP LOGO
The APLAP Logo is symbolized by elements that approximate the purpose and objectives of the organisation. It is illustrated in two colours to represent the two groups of countries that constitute the organization.
The Double Ring that encircles the elements within the Logo symbolizes the wholeness in purpose of member countries.
In the middle of the double ring is the name of the organization "Association of Parliamentary Librarians of Asia and the Pacific" bearing also the year the organization was founded, i.e., "1990".
The books and documents represents the information that can be obtained from libraries of member countries. This information can be made available as a symbol of mutual cooperation between institutional members of the organization.
The computer represents the medium to facilitate the exchange of information between countries.
The raised hands supporting the acronym of the organization (APLAP) represent the united force of support of members of the organization.
The colour green represents the member countries located in Asia, which are primarily known for its lush forests and vegetation.
The colour blue represents the member island countries surrounded by the blue waters of the Pacific.
