UAE hosts "International Conference on Books for Young People 2030" For the first time in the Arab world
Sharjah, 14 April / WAM / Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and under the directives of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, founder and honorary president of the UAE Board on Books for Young People, the UAE will host in 2030, for the first time in the Arab world, the 42nd edition of the International Conference of the International Board on Books for Young People, In the Emirate of Sharjah, under the slogan “Stories that Change the World”, with the participation of experts and publishers from more than 80 countries,
The conference, which is held every two years, brings together officials of the national branches of the International Board on Books for Young People and people who share the same passion and interest in facilitating access to books for children and young people around the world. It constitutes an important platform for building professional relationships, exchanging ideas, and expanding knowledge horizons. It includes many sessions, seminars and workshops that address the most prominent current issues related to the conference’s focus, in addition to organizing exhibitions and celebratory events, including the announcement of the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Council’s Honor Roll.
The announcement of this hosting came during the General Assembly meeting of the International Council on Books for Young People, which was held on the sidelines of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, which began yesterday in Italy and continues until April 16.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi said that the UAE’s hosting of this conference embodies our deep belief in the power of the word in creating awareness and building humanity, noting that stories are not just a means of knowledge, but an effective tool for inspiring generations, and promoting the values of empathy and openness, and that the conference represents a platform for highlighting the Emirati experience in supporting children’s literature and developing publishing, and strengthening Sharjah’s position as a global center for culture, expressing her aspiration that this event will contribute to unifying the efforts of experts and institutions from all over the world. the world; To provide specific initiatives that open new horizons for children, and confirm that stories are indeed capable of bringing about positive and sustainable change in societies.
The selection of the UAE to host this international event confirms its established position as a leading cultural center at the regional and global levels, and the integrated structure it possesses that supports the book industry and promotes the spread of reading, thanks to its integrated cultural system that includes exhibitions, festivals, institutions concerned with publishing and translation, public libraries, and knowledge initiatives targeting different age groups. This selection also reflects international confidence in the UAE’s experience in building a sustainable cultural environment, and its ability to host global events that contribute to the development of the children’s literature sector. and young people, and promoting cultural dialogue and exchange of experiences between specialists from around the world.
It is expected that the conference program will include a group of specialized events that discuss pivotal issues in the children’s and young people’s literature sector, including developing creative content, enhancing the quality of translation, and the role of libraries and educational institutions in establishing a culture of reading, in addition to reviewing the latest practices in designing books and making them available to different groups.
The conference also highlights the role of literature in supporting environmental and social awareness and therapeutic reading, reflecting recent global trends in using books as a tool for positive influence and building more aware and cohesive societies.
His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, said that the UAE’s hosting of this conference reflects its commitment to the role of culture as a bridge of communication between peoples, and a platform for promoting dialogue and human understanding. Children’s literature embodies a shared space where values and experiences meet, thus enhancing the upbringing of culturally aware generations.
He added that this hosting supports the region’s presence on the global cultural scene, and paves the way for areas of cooperation with international partners in developing the publishing industry, in order to consolidate the country’s position as an incubating environment for cultural initiatives that open horizons for future generations.
Through this hosting, which represents an appreciation by the International Council on Books for Young People for the programs and initiatives of the UAE Council on Books for Young People and its contributions to supporting national branches, especially in a number of Arab countries and providing the necessary facilities for them to join the International Council, the importance of holding the conference in Sharjah is highlighted to strengthen the partnership between the Arab and regional branches. The conference also provides an opportunity to exchange experiences between these branches and their counterparts around the world, in a way that supports the development of joint initiatives and enhances their integration into the global cultural movement. It raises the level of institutional cooperation in the field of children’s and young people’s literature.
The International Council on Books for Young People is an international organization founded in 1953 and headquartered in Switzerland. It includes a wide international network of institutions and individuals in more than 80 countries. It works to promote the culture of reading among children and young people, and to support the development of children’s literature globally, through programs and initiatives that contribute to expanding access to books, encouraging cultural exchange, and opening horizons of cooperation between specialists and knowledge content makers, in addition to organizing its international conference, which is held every two years as a global platform for exchanging experiences. And review best practices in this field.
The UAE Council on Books for Young People was established in 2010 at the initiative of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, to lead specific efforts to develop Arabic children’s literature and promote the spread of reading through a group of specialized projects and initiatives, through which it provides support and training programs for publishers, authors and illustrators, which contributes to improving the quality of literary production, in addition to the International Award for Arab Children’s Literature and many initiatives directed at children that include reading sessions and various activities that enhance their connection. With books and develop their passion for reading.
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