Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015, is a set of 17 global objectives designed to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges and foster sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Covering diverse issues such as poverty eradication, quality education, gender equality, climate action, and responsible consumption, these goals provide a framework for international cooperation and collective action to create a more sustainable future for all, leaving no one behind. The target year for achieving the SDGs is 2030.

The Myanmar Library Association (MLA) plays a pivotal role in supporting the SDGs through various initiatives that advocate for libraries, promote best practices, and facilitate collaboration among libraries and other stakeholders. Here are some examples of how MLA contributes to the SDGs:

SDG 10: Reduce Inequalities and SDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

 MLA actively engages in building capacity to counter human trafficking in Myanmar libraries. A successful partnership model was established in 2016 through a workshop on “Building Capacity for Counter Human Trafficking in Myanmar Libraries,” which was implemented in collaboration with The Asia Foundation and Colorful Girls (a local NGO). This initiative aimed to raise awareness about human trafficking and risky migration, contributing to the goals of reducing inequalities and promoting peace and justice.

SDG 4: Quality Education:  MLA provides a valuable learning space, offering educational programs, workshops, and training sessions. Through these initiatives, MLA provides essential resources and support to communities, students, teachers, and lifelong learners, promoting access to educational materials and fostering literacy and digital skills development. Some success stories are:

Let’s Read Myanmar: MLA is a key partner in “Let’s Read Myanmar,” a project in collaboration with The Asia Foundation, aiming to improve access to books for Myanmar’s children, where the scarcity of suitable books in Myanmar language and ethnic languages is a significant challenge.

School Library Development: MLA has been actively working with the Ministry of Education to establish 200 school libraries for the academic year 2022-2023. Through workshops for educational officials, MLA ensures the successful implementation of this project, which enhances access to educational resources and promotes the quality of education in Myanmar.

Certificate Course on Library Education: MLA plays an instrumental role in enhancing the skills and knowledge of library professionals through certificate courses in Basic and Intermediate Library Education. By empowering individuals in the library profession, MLA contributes to bridging the gap between individuals, information, and innovation, aligning with the changing landscape of library science in the 21st century.

In summary, MLA plays a critical role in coordinating and supporting the efforts of individual libraries toward achieving the SDGs. Through collaboration, resource provision, and advocacy, MLA actively contributes to advancing the SDGs, working towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.