On the occasion of the signature of the MoU, IPA President Karine Pansa said: “Reading plays a crucial role in educational, social and economic development. It is not only an essential tool for education and personal development, but also a means to preserve and disseminate cultural identity, encourage critical thinking and strengthen social cohesion. Through reading, we promote access to knowledge, encourage creativity and build more inclusive and equitable societies.”
Alejandra Claros Borda, CAF ́s Secretary General, added: “We are excited to be part of the 2024 São Paulo International Book Fair, an event that not only celebrates literature, but also promotes inclusion and diversity. Our participation in this event reinforces our commitment to culture, education and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Raphael Callou, OEI ́s General Director of Culture, said: “It is a great honor to discuss the Ibero-American Movement in favor of Books, Reading, and Writing, a fundamental initiative for strengthening public policies in the sector and for access to books throughout Ibero-America. Culture and education are essential rights, as well as powerful tools for building more just, inclusive, and equitable societies. At the Ibero-American Organization (OEI), we are committed to promoting innovative actions that enhance reading skills.”
The initiative focuses on 4 main elements:
- The promotion of public policies that encourage reading and access to books. It is essential that our governments commit to implementing policies that guarantee sustainable and equitable access to reading and quality education.
- The generation of knowledge and innovation about the best practices and successful experiences in the region. We need to share and adapt the best reading promotion practices for our specific realities, generating knowledge that allows us to innovate and advance.
- Promote a regional alliance that articulates the different actors in the book and reading ecosystem. With cooperation between governments, multilateral organizations, companies and professionals in the sector, we will have the foundations to stimulate an environment conducive to reading and the development of the publishing industry.
- Propose and develop information, awareness and awareness actions. We must work to create a culture that values books and reading as central elements for personal and social development.
About OEI
The Ibero-American Organization for Education, Science, and Culture (OEI) is the largest cooperation body among Spanish and Portuguese-speaking Ibero-American countries. It views education, science, and culture as tools for human development and generators of opportunities to build a better future for all. Each of the 19 national offices works closely on cultural and educational projects to promote reading and has connections with local book fairs and the publishing world.
To enhance understanding of reading promotion, OEI has developed, among other initiatives, the regional program Iberlectura. This program aims to support the public policies of education and culture ministries to strengthen reading plans and programs, motivating and supporting government efforts in this area with its initiatives. Through Iberlectura, reading is promoted, access to resources is facilitated, mediators are trained, research and evaluation are conducted, networks are created, innovation in reading is encouraged, and Ibero-American literature is disseminated.
More information: www.oei.int
About CAF
The mission of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, is to promote sustainable development and regional integration by means of financing projects in the public and private sectors, providing technical cooperation, and other specialized services. Created in 1970, it is made up of 21 countries, 19 Latin American and Caribbean, together with Spain and Portugal, and 13 private banks, it is one of the main sources of multilateral financing and an important generator of knowledge for the region.
More information: www.caf.com
About IPA
The International Publishers Association (IPA) is the world’s largest federation of publishers associations with 101 members in 81 countries. Established in 1896, the IPA is an industry body with a human rights mandate. The IPA’s mission is to promote and protect publishing and to raise awareness of publishing as a force for economic, cultural and social development. Working in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and numerous international NGOs, the IPA champions the interests of book and journal publishing at national and supranational level. Internationally, the IPA actively opposes censorship and promotes copyright, freedom to publish (including through the IPA Prix Voltaire), and literacy.
More information: www.internationalpublishers.org
