Papers from the opening session of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) conference are presented. "New Beginnings" (Robert Wedgeworth) opens the conference and pays tribute to S. R. Ranganathan, in whose memory the conference was dedicated, and William Warner Bishop, also a past president of IFLA. "Library and Information Policy Perspectives and Ranganathan's Heritage" (Eric de Grolier) acknowledges the debt the international library community owes to S. R. Ranganathan, and reviews his primary concerns for the organization and design of national library systems and the importance of recognizing the needs of users of information. "The IFLA Core Programme for the Universal Availability of Publications (UAP)" (Graham P. Cornish) reviews this program intended to make all publications available to all who require them whenever and wherever they are. The goals of the UAP program for the medium-term are summarized, and its accomplishments to date are reviewed. (SLD)