This is the first contribution from our grant winners about their experiences at the IFLA WLIC 2025 in Astana!

This post is by Ángel Guzmán Contreras, MA, who is currently pursuing his PhD in Library and Information Studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Just as the young and ambitious city of Astana aspires to be a hub between continents and cultures, the IFLA World Library and Information Congress served as a global meeting point for librarians. This year’s Congress in Kazakhstan’s capital brought together professionals from all over the world to exchange experiences, to share research, to explore both the differences and commonalities that enrich our field, and to engage in dialogue about the future of libraries and information sciences. Attending for the first time as an IFLA ARL Attendance Grant awardee was both a privilege and a profoundly deep learning experience. I’m very thankful for being able to be part of this experience.

Visiting Astana for the IFLA WLIC has been truly inspiring. The city’s bold growth, with its striking new buildings and evolving public spaces, reminds us as librarians of our own mission to grow and build. Just as Astana’s futuristic architecture points forward with confidence, we too are called to look ahead, shaping libraries that serve not only the present, but the future of our communities.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet participants from every continent, strengthen friendships with librarians I had met before, and reconnect with colleagues I had lost touch with long ago. Equally unforgettable was the hospitality of our Kazakh hosts, who truly embodied the spirit of the steppe. Their warm welcome, generosity, and eagerness to share their culture through music, food, drinks, dance, and traditions made the Congress not only a professional gathering but also a rich cultural experience that will undoubtedly deepen our sense of connection.

I was particularly interested in the focus on recent technological advances, especially the use of Artificial Intelligence. The discussions explored ways in which AI can be implemented in libraries, the ethical boundaries of its use, the potential risks it poses, and how to utilize this tool effectively. These sessions reminded me that librarians have a responsibility not only to adopt new technologies but, more importantly, to understand them critically, carefully considering their benefits and potential downsides, and ensuring that these tools genuinely serve the communities we support.

One of the most thought-provoking presentations I attended was delivered by C. Syamili from the University of Calicut, India. The session explored how a regional conflict is represented and misrepresented across media platforms. Using qualitative content analysis, the study highlighted techniques of digital propaganda, viral disinformation, and coordinated narrative shaping. I found this particularly striking. In a world where information is increasingly weaponized, her research highlighted a challenge that librarians must actively address: disinformation not only distorts reality but also shapes the future of societies. As information professionals, we have a responsibility to safeguard truth, promote critical literacy, and ensure that communities can navigate information responsibly.

The presentation also reinforced my own doctoral work on disinformation and migration, demonstrating that whether in conflict zones or along migration routes, the deliberate distortion of narratives poses a profound threat to human-informed society — dignity and a threat we are all called to address.

I leave the beautiful city of Astana with renewed motivation to continue working on the rest of my PhD, equipped with new tools provided by the IFLA WLIC, enriched by the insightful comments of colleagues, librarians, and friends, and inspired by the meaningful connections and cultural exchanges I experienced throughout the Congress.

See you all next year in Busan!