The seventh UNESCO 'Training-the-Trainers Workshop' in Information Literacy was held from 21- 23 October 2008 in Wuhan, the political, economic, cultural and educational capital of central China. The workshop was one of 11 regional training events organized by UNESCO within the framework of its global project to train trainers in information literacy and enable people to reap the full benefits of emerging knowledge societies.
In his opening remarks, the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Abdul Waheed Khan, referred to information literacy as the '21st century's skills and abilities to learn how to learn and constantly update and challenge the own knowledge.' In the 21st century's changing and competitive environment, learning about computers and media technology is not enough if nations, institutions and individuals are to reap the full benefits of the emerging knowledge societies. Information literacy is a mean to 'empower people in all walks of life to seek, evaluate, use and create information effectively to achieve their personal, social, occupational and educational goals.' UNESCO, with its mandate to help all people access information and knowledge they need to improve their daily lives, has taken a lead to foster the development of information literate societies.
