About the Event
When
23 - 24 August 2025

Where
Nazarbayev University Library

Registration
Required

Language
English
IFLA Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section is happy to announce its 39th Satellite meeting to be held on 23-24 August 2025, in Astana. The meeting will be hosted by the Nazarbayev University Library.

Parliamentary libraries and research services play a crucial role in providing credible and timely information to decision-makers. As knowledge networks become increasingly interconnected, these institutions must adapt their strategies and develop new skills to collaborate effectively and drive innovation.

This year’s meeting aims to provide a platform for discussing the essential skills needed to foster collaboration and innovation, including integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in knowledge management and information delivery.

Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and best practices through presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.
Conference Information
Theme
Fostering Collaboration and Innovation in Parliamentary Libraries and Research Services: Building Skills for a Connected Future

Date
Saturday and Sunday, 23-24 August, 2025

Location
Library Conference Hall, Nazarbayev University Library (Block 5, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan, 010000)
Conference Focus
The meeting’s focus is on Fostering Collaboration and Innovation in Parliamentary Libraries and Research Services: Building Skills for a Connected Future. Specific topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
  • Developing Future-Ready Skills for Parliamentary Librarians and Research Analysts
    • Strategies for working with experts, academic institutions, and stakeholders to strengthen support for decision-makers.
    • How to acquire skills outlined in the Agenda Skills for the 2024 Trend Report: practical, partnership and personal development skills.
  • Emerging Trends, Innovation and New Practices in Parliamentary Libraries and Research Services:
    • Adoption of new technologies or practices to enhance research and information services in parliamentary settings.
    • Case studies and practices in parliamentary settings that resonate with the challenges and trends identified in IFLA 2024 Trend Report.
  • Artificial Intelligence for Parliamentary Research and Knowledge Management
    • Experiences and best practices for integrating AI in parliamentary research while maintaining information integrity.
    • Overview of AI tools used in information retrieval, fact-checking, and summarization.
    • Hands-on exercises with AI-based platforms that support legislative research.
    • Discussion on integrating AI tools into workflows.
For selected presenters to submit their final presentations, please use the following link.
Program
Day 1: Saturday, 23 August 2025
Nazarbayev University Library (Block 5)
All Day 1 activities will be held in the Conference Room (Plenary Room) – 5e.228
10:00-10:30
Registration/ Accreditation
10:30-11:00
Welcome Address & Opening of the conference
• Welcome Address by Loretta O’Donnell, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs of Nazarbayev University
• Opening of the Conference by Vivian Lewis, IFLA Division B Chair 2025-2027
11:00-11:15
Chair of the Section presentation
by Carolyne Ménard, Bibliothèque de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec, Canada | IFLAPARL Chair 2023-2025 & 2025-2027
Group photo
11:20-12:00
Sponsored Session: Sponsors’ presentations, Poster
presentations & Networking
Ali Abushawar, Manager CIS & Kazakhstan | Wiley
Presentation of Wiley, Wiley Online Library and Wiley AI tools
Coffee break sponsored by Wiley
12:00-12:30
Keynote presentations
• Albina Tortbayeva, Founder of "Art of Research Lab" | NGO Arlab Research
and Training, in Kazakhstan, currently of "Grants Adviser Consulting"
The processes and challenges in preparing research for policy-makers in Central Asia: the experience of a local community of researchers
• Ricardo Pelizzo, Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev
University
The current state of parliamentarism in Kazakhstan and the use of evidence for
decision-making, legislation, and oversight
12:30-14:00
Lunch break
Unsponsored lunch break
14:00-15:00
First session – Presentations from the Host and Regional
Updates
Moderator: Julie Anderson
• Tolkyn Jangulova, General Expert and Acting Library Director of the
Nazarbayev University Library
Nazarbayev University Library Services
• Yelizaveta Kamilova, Teaching and Learning Librarian of Nazarbayev
University Library
Overview of Practical Applications of AI at the NU Library
• Regional Updates: Updates on the actions of regional associations
15:00-15:30
Poster session & Networking
Unsponsored coffee break
15:30-17:00
Second session – Collaboration and Innovation in Parliamentary Libraries and Research Services
Moderator: Iouliani Theodosi
• Aizhan Dzhakshylykova & Akylbek Zholdoshev (Kyrgyz Republic)
Strengthening Cooperation and Innovation through the School of Analytics Project within the Framework of the Development Strategy of the Zhogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2017
• Lee Hee-seo (Republic of Korea)
Innovating Parliamentary Research: New Trends and Practices from the National Assembly Research Service of Korea (NARS)
• Carolyne Ménard (Canada), Implementing Quality Assurance in Parliamentary Library Services: A Case Study from the Bibliothèque de l’Assemblée nationale duQuébec
• Maria João Amante & Elisabete Revez (Portugal)
When Parliament Speaks: Oral History initiatives within the ECPRD Network
• Q&A
Summary of first day and overview of sessions planned for the second day
18:30-21:00
Dinner
Optional, non-hosted activity, location t.b.a.
Day 2: Sunday, 24 August 2025
Nazarbayev University Library (Block 5)
Day 2 activities will be held at the Conference Room (Plenary Room) – 5e.228, and Rooms
5.201 & 5E.438
10:00-10:30
Registration/ Accreditation
10:30-13:00
AI Workshop
(Organized by Carolyne Ménard, Julie Anderson, Martin Reid, Ellie Valentine, Alec Vuijlsteke, Iouliani Theodosi, Anne-Lise Harding)

Conference Room
• 10:30-11:00: Opening presentation: Carolyne Ménard, Bibliothèque de
l’Assemblée nationale du Québec, Canada | IFLAPARL Chair 2023-2025 & 2025-2027
• 11:00-11:10: Aislu Navievna, Senior Manager of Patron Services Office,
Nazarbayev University Library
The "AI for Her" learning experience
• 11:10-11:25: Abdulmumin Isah; Dr. Mulikat Yetunde Abdulkareem (Nigeria)
Leveraging AI tools for Parliamentary Tasks: Awareness and Perspectives of
Parliamentarians in Nigeria (video presentation)

Rooms 5.201 & 5E.438
• 11:30-12:25: Break-out sessions

Conference Room
• 12:30-12:40: Fotis Fitsilis, (Hellenic Parliament)
Artificial Intelligence in today’s Parliament (video presentation)
• 12:40-12:50: Iouliani Theodosi & Ellie Valentine (IFLAPARL Standing
Committee | Hellenic Parliament & USA)
Integration of AI in Parliaments
• 12:50-13:00: Debrief & Conclusion
13:00-14:30
Lunch break
Lunch sponsored by Wiley
14:30-15:30
Open Standing Committee Business Meeting
• Updates on the 2023-2025 Standing Committee term
• Action planning for the 2025-2027 Standing Committee term
• Open discussion
15:30-16:00
Coffee break
Unsponsored coffee break
16:00-17:00
Building Skills session
(Organized by Martin Reid, Carolyne Ménard, Iouliani Theodosi, Ellie Valentine, Anne-Lise Harding)

Round table presentations and discussion on Skills Building in Parliamentary Libraries and Research Services

Presenters:
• Martin Reid (Director of Library Services, House of Commons Library)
• Sarah Sheil (Director of the Members' Research Service, European
Parliament)
• Iouliani Theodosi (Hellenic Parliament Library | IFLAPARL Information
Coordinator)
17:00-17:15
Coffee break
Unsponsored coffee break
17:15-18:00
Satellite Meeting conclusion & Professional networking

Notes:

• The Satellite Meeting’s rooms:

— Plenary Room (Conference Room) – 5e.228 (2nd floor)

— Complab (Room 5.201, 2nd floor)

— Active Learning Room (Complab) - 5E.438 (4th floor)

The rooms are indicated on the map provided during registration and on the map below.


• Please keep in mind that the IFLA Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section and the Nazarbayev University Library may use still images or audio and/or video recordings captured in the course of this event on its online platforms, publications and promotional material.


• The program might be subject to last minute changes, which will be announced through the organizers’ communications channels and/or during the event.

Conference Map
Travel Information
About the Venue
Nazarbayev University (NU) is a flagship academic institution in Central Asia, striving for global recognition as a top-tier research university.

The NU Library was established in 2010 to support the research and information needs of the university community. It holds a vast collection of nearly 200,000 print volumes, along with electronic books and journals, microfiches, DVDs, and online databases, primarily in English. As one of the most advanced academic libraries in Central Asia, it became the first in the region to offer 24/7 access in 2018. In 2023, it also became the first library in Kazakhstan to implement the Alma and Primo library systems.
About Astana City
The young capital of Kazakhstan recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Astana is ranked among the top ten most attractive tourist cities in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), according to turstat.com.

The city is renowned for its futuristic architecture and modern technologies. Some of the top attractions include:
For more information on recreational activities, upcoming events, dining options, and guided walking tours, visit the official Visit Astana website.
Useful Links
Contacts
For any questions, please contact: IFLAPARL Secretary Julie Anderson at iflaparlsecretary@gmail.com and IFLAPARL Information Coordinator Louliani (Lila) Theodosi at infoiflaparl@gmail.com.
This page will keep being updated as more information on the event becomes available. To keep up to date, visit IFLA PARL's Get Involved page and follow us on our social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.