Month: June 2024

Annual General Meeting 2024: An overview

Posted on by EURead

The 2024 EURead Annual General Meeting (AGM) convened in Athens, the cradle of democracy, to explore the theme ‘Promoting Literacy in a Changing World.’ The event brought together 29 participants from 16 countries, including external guests and sponsors.

The meeting commenced with welcoming remarks from hosts Ava Chalkiadaki (Diavazontas Megalono) and Bettina Wenzel (Goethe-Institut Athen), followed by inspiring video messages from Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Andrew Kay, CEO of the World Literacy Foundation.

Dr. Jörg F. Maas, EURead Chair, then led attendees into productive discussions on the organisation’s Strategic Vision and its Statement on Reading and Literacy, ensuring the AGM stayed focused on its core mission from the outset.

Bettina Wenzel, Goethe-Institut Athen
Ava Chalkiadaki, Diavazontas Megalono
Andrew Kay, World Literacy Foundation
Katarina Barley, vice-president European Parliament

Welcoming New Members

The afternoon session of the 2024 EURead AGM was dedicated to introducing four new member organisations:

  • Kitabistan (Azerbaijan): Presented via a video message from Malak Khanim Hajiyeva, Chairperson of the Board.
  • Universal Reading Foundation (Poland): Introduced by Maria Deskur, CEO.
  • Ukrainian Book Institute: Presented by Daan Beeke, EURead Network Manager.
  • Reading Foundation (Bulgaria): Introduced by Valentina Stoeva, Co-founder.
Malak Khanim Hajiyeva (Kitabistan)
Maria Deskur (Universal Reading Foundation, Poland)
Daan Beeke presenting the Ukrainian Book Institute
Valentina Stoeva (Reading Foundation BG)

Focus on Reading Promotion in Greece

The AGM also featured a thought-provoking session titled “Reading Promotion in Greece: The Deficits of Public Reading Policies and the Leading Role of Civil Society.” Presented by host Ava Chalkiadaki with a touch of humour, the discussion highlighted the challenges faced by EURead members in their efforts to promote literacy. It left a lasting impression, sparking reflection on the vital role of civil society in addressing these deficits.

Reading promotion in Greece: the deficits of public reading policies and the leading role of the civil society – Speaker: Ava Chalkiadaki

Special Guest Presentation

This year’s special guest, Prof. Adriaan van der Weel from Leiden University, delivered an engaging presentation on “Reading to Change Our Minds.” His thought-provoking insights offered a preview of his upcoming contribution to the Open Forum, adding depth and perspective to the AGM discussions.

Reading to change our minds – Speaker: Prof. Adriaan van der Weel, Leiden University

Closing Session: Updates on Early Years Bookgifting

The meeting concluded with updates from the Global Network for Early Years Bookgifting, presented by Peter Jenkins and Emmi Jäkkö. Their insights offered valuable connections to EURead’s strategic planning, highlighting the alignment between early years initiatives and the organisation’s broader goals.

Peter Jenkins, BookTrust
Emmi Jäkkö, Finnish Reading Center
Evanthia Sakellari, Diavazontas Megalono
Ana Molina, Asociación Artística-Sociocultural Mestiza

Leadership Transition

During the AGM, Gerlien van Dalen officially stepped down as Co-chair of EURead following her departure as Director of Stichting Lezen. Valentina Stoeva was unanimously elected as her successor and installed as the new Co-chair.

Gerlien van Dalen receives a Letter of Appreciation from EURead Chair Jörg Maas
Gerlien van Dalen and Valentina Stoeva

Exploring New Media in Literacy Promotion

Attendees engaged in discussions on new media issues. The session featured a presentation on the Fakeless programme by Nikoletta Stathopoulou from the Goethe-Institut and a warmly received presentation by Sonja Hoge from Onilo, highlighting innovative approaches to integrating media in literacy promotion.

Nikoletta Stathopoulou, Goethe-Institut
Sonja Hoge, Onilo.de

Anne Bergman (FEP) chaired a session about Reading Promotion and Politics, where members were invited to share their thoughts, campaigns etc.

Tine Kuypers, Iedereen leest

Open Forum on Literacy and Democracy

After the official closing of the AGM, attendees gathered once again at the Goethe-Institut for the Open Forum titled “Literacy and Democracy in the Era of Technology and Information: Facts, Challenges, Strategies.” The forum was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the City of Athens, with support from OSDEL. It provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the intersection of literacy, democracy, and the evolving landscape of technology and information.

After presentations and welcoming words by Angela Kaya (Director Goethe-Institut Athen), Eleni Zontirou (City of Athens) and Kostas Dardanos (OSDEL), moderator Prof. Maria Stratigaki led a discussion between the three keynote speakers: Prof. Venetia Apostolidou, Prof. Dr. Adriaan van der Weel and Marc Lambert. The forum was well attended by both EURead members and the general public. Special video was also sent by Andreas Schleicher – Director of Directorate “Education and skills”, OSCE.

Forum, Photos: Vangelis Patsialos
Prof. Maria Stratigaki, Photos: Vangelis Patsialos
Angela Kaya, Photos: Vangelis Patsialos
Andreas Schleicher, Photos: Vangelis Patsialos
Prof. Adriaan van der Weel, Photos: Vangelis Patsialos
Prof. Venetia Apostolidou and speakers, Photos: Vangelis Patsialos
Marc Lambert and speakers, Photos: Vangelis Patsialos

The grande finale was the presentation of the EURead Statement on Reading and Literacy, presented by co-chair Diana Gerald MBE (CEO BookTrust UK).

Diana Gerald MBE (co-chair of EURead) presenting the EURead Statement on Reading and Literacy

Videos from the open forum: LINK

EURead Statement on Reading and Literacy in different languages: LINK

EUROPEAN LEADERS CALLED ON TO RECOGNISE THE ABILITY TO READ AS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROTECTION OF DEMOCRACY

Posted on by EURead

EURead, a coalition of the continent’s most influential organisations committed to reading and literacy, called on Europe’s leaders to recognise the ability to read as a fundamental human right and as essential to the protection of democracy. 

The six-point Statement on Reading and Literacy draws on extensive evidence which shows the widespread impact of being able to read and reading regularly on the ability of individual citizen’s to fulfil their potential, participate in society and identify fake news. The statement also calls for further investment in book gifting programmes for families with young children, school and public libraries and in reading promotion as being essential for the development of critically literate citizens.

The statement was announced at the EURead Annual General Meeting in Athens where 21 organisations from over 15 countries participated from across the continent which was followed by an open forum on “Literacy and Democracy in the Era of Technology and Information: Facts, Challenges, Strategies,” organized in light of the EU elections. Guest speakers at the AGM and forum included Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Andreas Schleicher, Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills, OECD, Andrew Kay, CEO of World Literacy Foundation, Prof. Adriaan van der Weel of Leiden University, Prof. Venetia Apostolidou of Aristotle University, Thessaloniki and Marc Lambert CEO of Scottish Book Trust.

In launching the Statement on Reading and Literacy, Dr Jörg F. Maas, Chair of EU Read, said:

“The contribution of reading to the defence of democracy and the functioning of society in so many different ways is grossly underestimated. Ensuring that the citizens of Europe can not only read, but can read critically and love reading is fundamental to sustaining European values for future generations. Governments at regional, national and pan-European level must take action but so must a wide range of other social actors. Reading is not just an issue for ministries of education and culture but for everyone who cares about the future of Europe. We must come together to protect our way of life.”   

We, the EURead members, call on all politicians at both the national and EU levels to support reading and literacy by rethinking their importance for the well-being of all citizens and the preservation of our vibrant and robust democratic societies.

EURead Statement on Reading and Literacy

Posted on by EURead

We, the member organisations of EURead representing 34 state, NGO and publishing bodies from 23 countries across the continent call on European leaders at regional, national and supranational level to recognise the foundational role that reading plays in the development of individual citizens, in the operation of a thriving economy and in helping to ensure the functioning of modern democracies.

We are specifically calling for recognition of and action on the following principles.

  1. The ability to read and to read critically is essential to personal development and a fundamental human right.

It is widely evidenced that reading regularly for pleasure improves mental health and well-being, correlates with achievement across the curriculum, improves social mobility and enables participation in society. PISA defines reading as “understanding, using, reflecting on, and engaging with written texts in order to achieve one’s goals, develop one’s knowledge and potential, and participate in society.” Because of its widespread impact on individuals’ lives, learning to read and to love reading is a fundamental right.

2. The ability to read underpins the functioning of our society in many dimensions and, as such, is everyone’s concern.

Having citizens who can read to the best of their ability can improve economic performance, enable better health outcomes, enhance social mobility and improve social cohesion. Making sure that the citizens of Europe are regular readers is a matter of concern for a wide variety of state and non-state actors outside the confines of the education and culture sectors. This includes organisations active in the business and commercial world, healthcare and regional development sectors amongst others.

3. Having citizens who can read critically is essential if we are to protect our democracies.

In an era of disinformation, the ability to interpret information and assess the credibility of statements is essential to the functioning of modern democracies. The promotion of high levels of critical literacy should be a priority for governments and for EU members should form part of the Defence of Democracy package.

4. Reading needs to be part of family life from a child’s earliest days and governments should further invest in Early Years book gifting programmes.

There is widespread scientific evidence of the importance of the first 1000 days for a child’s development and further evidence of the critical role that reading with young children can play in language acquisition and emotional attachment with their parent or carer. We know that children who are read to when young are more likely to go on to read themselves later. We believe that no child should miss out on the opportunity this presents and that government should further invest in well-evidenced book gifting programmes. Book gifting programmes should form part of the European Child Guarantee.

5. Access to a wide range of books, for example through kindergartens, school libraries and through libraries in the community, staffed by skilled librarians, is essential to fostering a love of reading and needs financial support.

Every citizen of a European country from birth onwards would benefit from access to diverse reading materials of all kinds and in different formats as this helps the acquisition and maintenance of regular reading habits. Having school and community libraries, staffed by information professionals who can help people discover books they will love, is a critical part of our reading infrastructure.

6. Reading promotion by a wide range of players needs to be supported. 

People need encouragement to read, and this is particularly true for those who have the most to gain from reading regularly. Reading promotion programmes which draw on the expertise of the state and NGOs as well as the intellectual capital of authors, illustrators, publishers and booksellers require sustained investment over time in order to effect changes in behaviour. Whilst these actors may lead on promotional activity, it is the responsibility of every element of society to signal that reading is something which is highly valued.

EURead Statement on Reading and Literacy is available as pdf in different languages: