Introduction

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights gives everyone the right to education. Article 26.2 reads: “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace”.

The ability to read and to write is fundamental to education. IPA supports literacy and reading initiatives which collaborate with publishers to promote literacy and reading in such a way that a sustainable local publishing industry can develop. Local publishers give local writers a voice and local readers, whatever their age, the reading material that reflects on their reality, their cultural context and their own way of life. IPA therefore encourages literacy campaigns that collaborate closely with the local publishing industry.

Latest News

In its capacity as member of the Selection Committee, IPA encourages  the submission of candidacies for World Book Capital 2014 no later than Friday, 27 April 2012. After this deadline, it will be too late! The 2014 World Book Capital will be selected at UNESCO over the summer. Please note that since the 2013 title was awarded to a city of the Asia and Pacific region (Bangkok), no candidature from this region will be taken into consideration for the 2014 nomination. Call (Eng., Esp., Fr.) - Annex (Eng.)

Bangkok was named as the “World Book Capital 2013” at the conclusion of the selection committee meeting, which was held on 27 June 2011 at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters. The city of Bangkok was selected “on account of its willingness to bring together all the various stakeholders of the book chain and beyond, for its community focused programme and the high level of commitment through the proposed activities”. See Press Release of 29 June 2011.

The current World Book Capital is Buenos Aires, Argentina, until 22 April 2012. On 25 April, the Buenos Aires Book Fair hosted the Award Ceremony of the 2011 IPA Freedom to Publish Prize. This Award Ceremony marked the first public appearance of Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri. The next World Book Capital will be Yerevan, Armenia. See Press Release of 5 July 2010.