The first round of funding in IPA’s Africa Publishing Innovation Fund, backed by Dubai Cares, included support for Book Bunk, the regeneration project of the Macmillan Library and 2 in Nairobi, Kenya. The two co-founders, Wanjiru Koinange and Angela Wachuka, spoke recently to CC’s Beyond the Book.
On 27 November, IPA held the latest virtual Educational Publishers Forum, this time ‘in’ Lisbon with presentations about the situation in Portugal, a conversation with the Head of Education at Microsoft Ireland, and presentations on the European Accessibility Act and the possible impact of Brexit on publishers in the UK.
The International Publishers Association General Assembly on Monday 23 November was marked by the results of the association’s elections but also featured the publication of a COVID-19 stocktaking report and guest speeches from United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres and Booker-shortlisted author, Tsitsi Dangarembga.
Bodour Al Qasimi (Kalimat Group, UAE) confirmed as President-elect of the IPA, with Karine Pansa (Girassol Brasil Edições, Brazil) confirmed as Vice President-elect at first ever virtual IPA General Assembly.
The final day of this SCCR began with the Chair recognising a cloud of fatigue in the room and encouraging delegates to press on through the day to finish the week.