Who are we!
The Western Balkan Information and Media Literacy Conference 2019 (WBIMLC) takes its inspiration also from previous European Union projects such as Tempus Project 517117 Developing information literacy for lifelong learning and knowledge economy in Western Balkan countries. This was a unique, pioneering European Union funded project which developed information literacy for lifelong learning in the Western Balkans during the period 2011-2015. The Western Balkan Information and Media Literacy Conference is now listed among the most important Information Literacy Conferences of the World. After it followed by European Union Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education (CBHE) project 561987 Library Network Support Services (LNSS): modernizing libraries in Western Balkan countries through staff development and reforming library services. As a result of the involvement of leading international experts in the IL field in WBIMLC, the concept of Information Literacy which prior to WBIMLC was almost completely unknown in the Western Balkan region has firmly taken hold and is now embedded in many universities in the Region. Over the years, WBIMLC has been honoured to have some of the foremost authorities in the IL field as Keynote Speakers. These include Mr. Paul G Zurkowski (USA), who coined the term “Information Literacy” in 1974, Dr. Tefko Saracevic (USA), Dr. Christine Bruce (Australia), Professor Judith Broady-Preston (Wales), Dr. Irina Zhilavskaya (Russia), Dr. Sanda Erdelez (USA), Dr. Jesús Lau (Mexico), László I. Komlósi (Hungary) and many others. WBIMLC 2019 celebrates the clear enthusiasm and passion of IL enthusiasts not only in the Western Balkans but on the international level. Given the topic of this year's Conference Freedom, Accuracy and Truth, getting to the truth with Information Literacy WBIMLC 2019 also highlights the relevance of Information Literacy in today's world. The participants at WBIMLC came from more than 40 countries from all continents creating one of the biggest IL networks so far. We are waiting for you to join us.
Dr. Ratko Knezevic WBIMLC 2019 President of the Organisation Committee