The Information for All Programme (IFAP) is UNESCO's response to the challenges and opportunities of the Information Society. The last decade has witnessed technological developments at a scale and speed unprecedented in the history of humankind.

The challenge the world faces is now to ensure equitable access for all people to these new opportunities. Information is central to development. Information is essential for survival and sustainability. Information is the pathway to success and peace.

Indeed, Information helps to tackle some of the world's most critical issues – poverty, health, quality education, disaster prevention, governance and care for the environment. Information contributes directly to economic growth. HIV/AIDS is now recognised as a problem deriving primarily from a lack of information.Teachers and students require access to quality learning resources. Early warning systems can help reduce the loss of life from natural disasters. Publicly accessible information on political decisions is essential for good governance. Information about the effects of pollutants can help societies create more sustainable futures.

The Information for All Programme seeks to address these crucial issues by narrowing the gap between the information rich and the information poor. It provides a framework for international cooperation and partnerships and supports the development of common strategies, methods and tools for building an Information Society for all, or in other words, for building inclusive and pluralist Knowledge Societies.