Lyusyena Shum selected as one of IFLA WLIC 2026 Emerging Leaders

Lyusyena Shum, Head of the Charitable Foundation “Library Country”, has been selected as one of the 16 Emerging Leaders from across the global library and information sector to participate in the programme as part of the World Library and Information Congress of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA WLIC 2026).

This year’s Emerging Leaders programme brought together 16 professionals from different countries and continents, selected from more than 300 applications. This selection provided an opportunity to bring the experience of Ukrainian libraries during the full-scale war to the international library community.

As part of the IFLA WLIC 2026 Emerging Leaders session, Lyusyena presented “24 February 2022: Libraries Become the Last Institution Standing” — exploring the key turning points that have transformed the role of Ukrainian libraries since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

In her presentation, she spoke about how Ukrainian libraries have moved far beyond their traditional role of preserving and providing access to information. During the war, they have become spaces of safety, support and education, places that strengthen community cohesion and help preserve Ukraine’s cultural memory.

Lyusyena had planned to represent Ukraine in person but, due to circumstances related to the war, was unable to travel to Busan. She nevertheless joined the Emerging Leaders session online and shared the Ukrainian experience with the international library community.

“It is a great honour to be among the 16 IFLA Emerging Leaders from around the world and to have the opportunity to represent Ukraine. The experience of Ukrainian libraries shows that, in times of crisis, a library can become one of the last institutions to remain present and continue working for people and communities,” says Lyusyena Shum.

The Emerging Leaders programme also involves participants in key international IFLA initiatives. This year, they are contributing to the launch of IFLA100, marking IFLA’s centenary, including the first phase of the global futures exercise, as well as the preparation of the Weak Signals Report.

What is IFLA WLIC 2026?

The World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) is the annual international congress of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), bringing together librarians, information professionals, researchers, library organisations and experts from around the world.

IFLA WLIC 2026 took place in Busan, South Korea, serving as a major international platform for professional dialogue on the future of libraries, transformation in the library sector and the evolving role of libraries in society.

Read more about the 2026 Emerging Leaders on the IFLA website.