I was going through my Twitter feed today when a miscellaneous “Tweet” (is that the word? I don’t even know the lingo im so new) posted “Happy World Book Day”.
It turns out today is World Book Day! According to Google World Book Day is a celebratory movement developed by UNESCO. The United Kingdom National Commission(UNESCO) is committed to the eradication of poverty, building peace and supporting sustainable development. The Commission plays a part in intercultural dialogue concerning education, culture, science and communication. It’s no surprise they would support a day all about books.
World Book Day is a celebration! It’s a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading. In fact, it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world. – World Book Day
The main goal of World Book Day is to promote reading world wide for kids. Although only in its 18th year, World Book Day is beginning to cultivate support.
In Ireland publisher and bookseller National Book Tokens Ltd supports the movement by sending book vouchers to schools. They send enough to support one book for every child under the age of 18 in the country! The vouchers are then eligible to be used at any local bookseller for one of ten free books of the child’s choice.
It’s all about getting kids closer to the books and authors they already love, and letting them discover more books and authors they’ll love every bit as much in the future. – World Book Day
The entire day is about exposing kids to the wonders of reading for free and getting local booksellers involved. The concept is both simple and ingenious! Children living in poverty can receive reading materials that can promote literacy which increases their chances at a better life in a world obsessed with the written word. Children who are literate are exposed to new authors, genres and voices in literature.
The extensive global use of books in today’s increasingly global society means that World Book Day is an international event committed to the distribution of knowledge and culture for adults as well as inspiring self esteem and confidence in children.
Books are invaluable platforms for freedom of expression and the free flow of information – these are essential for all societies today. – UNESCO International
The program also chooses one location to be World Book Capital to recognize great efforts in development of programs to combat illiteracy and conserve the human legacy of written word. The World Book Capital of 2015 is Incheon, Republic of South Korea who is receiving plenty of media attention and praise for their programme to promote reading among the underprivileged sections of the population.
So, Happy World Book day! Let’s all pick up a new voice in literature to celebrate our fortune as literate members of a global society and support efforts to be a kinder, more understanding society towards those who cannot enjoy the written word yet.
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