UAEBBY instils love of reading in Emirati youngsters

SHARJAH, 12th July, 2016 (WAM) -- The UAE Board on Books for Young People, UAEBBY, the national branch of the International Board on Books for Young People, IBBY, is implementing a set of initiatives and activities to promote reading among children and young people in the country throughout the year. The move by the national literary organisation is in line with its mission to attract children and young people to books, and instil in them a love of reading. It comes within the framework of the UAE’s ‘Year of Reading’ initiative for 2016, launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Established under the directives of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Patron of the UAEBBY, the organisation aims to promote the publication and distribution of high quality children books in the Arabic language across the UAE. It aspires to provide professional and amateur authors and illustrators - as well as publishing houses based inside the UAE - with opportunities to communicate, exchange experiences and develop educational capacities. It also works to provide support and training for those involved with children and children's literature. Following the edict from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bi Zayed Al Nahyan that 2016 would be celebrated as the UAE’s Year of Reading, the UAEBBY has intensified its efforts to implement a number of plans this year. Over the past six years, the UAEBBY has embarked on a programme of activities designed to promote a culture of reading among children and to help raise the standards of children’s books in the UAE. Among the projects it has introduced is the ‘Read, Dream, Create’ campaign, which encourages young people to develop their skills with composition, creativity and prose. With an aim of raising the standard of children’s literature in the region, the UAEBBY has launched several initiatives, including the ‘Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature’ and ‘Books - Made in the UAE’ project. - Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/general/1395297632654.html