KNOWLEDGE FOR DEVELOPMENT: some issues for information professionals

Abstract

Mankind has entered a new historical period: the Knowledge Era. In such context, the information phenomenon assumes special relevance to socio-economic development. A brief explanation on the social role scientific and technological knowledge has, encompassing some information science concepts,is developed. Taking into consideration that information is a key factor to the cultural change process imposed by the Knowledge Society, a reflexion is proposed to the information professionals on their social responsability: the mandate to facilitate the transmission of knowledge to those that need it.