She pleaded that world leaders should avoid ‘re-inventing the wheel’. Instead they should concentrate investment in the existing library network. "A relatively modest investment in technology, training and content would work wonders in making information and knowledge available to the information poor", she said.

Deschamps was launching IFLA’s response to the Draft Declaration of Principles and Draft Action Plan, issued for consultation by the organisers of the UN World Summit.

IFLA is calling for the Summit to

commit member States to connect all their public libraries to the Internet by 2006

support the skills development of librarians

ensure that intellectual property laws for electronic publications do not prevent public access

recommend public investment in information and telecommunication technologies

ensure that libraries providing public access are eligible for affordable connection charges

"The skill, energy and commitment of the world’s librarians will not fail you in the struggle to bridge the digital divide – provide you give them the resources required", was the challenge made by the IFLA President to the World Summit.