We live in turbulent times, facing challenges that affect our well-being, the economy, sustainability, and democracy. As uncertainty grows, so does the need for solutions that can strengthen societies and empower individuals.
Reading promoters understand this reality—and they believe that reading holds the key to addressing many of these pressing issues. That’s why, at this year’s EURead Annual General Meeting and Open Forum, we are coming together to discuss urgent topics, explore practical solutions, and build bridges across sectors. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we aim to propose workable strategies that will help shape the future of Europe.
The AGM 2025 will be held on the 10th and 11th of June, 2025, in Brussels (Belgium).
Location: KBR – the Royal Library, Brussels
AGENDA
10th June, 2025 (Tuesday), Annual General Meeting 2025, Day 1
KBR – the Royal Library, Panorama Hall, Mont des Arts 28, Brussels, Belgium
| 13.00 – 13.30 | Registration |
| 13.30 – 14.15 | Opening of the Annual General Meeting Moderator: Dr. Jörg F. Maas – Chair of EURead |
| Welcome speeches from officials and partners: | |
| – Sylvie Dhaene, CEO Iedereen leest, Belgium (host of the AGM2025) | |
| – KBR representative (tbc; host of the AGM2025) | |
| – Ms. Katarina Barley, Vice-president of the European Parliament and patron of EURead (video) | |
| – Prof. Dr. Andrea Wechsler, Member of the European Parliament) | |
| – Frau Karin Schlautmann from Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA (video) |
| 14.15 – 14.20 | Short break |
| 14.20 – 15.10 | Panel 1: All about US Moderator: Dr. Jörg F. Maas – Chair of EURead |
| Welcome speech by Dr. Maas | |
| 25 Years EURead: The short history (Daan Beeke and Peter Jenkins) | |
| A short introductory round for all | |
| Welcoming new members – short presentations by: | |
| – Slovenian Book Agency, Slovenia | |
| – Krajina čitatel’ov, Slovakia | |
| – Ministry of Culture and Media, Croatia | |
| – Friedrich-Bödecker-Kreis, Germany |
| 15.10 – 15.20 | EURead members – photos EURead + Global Network for Early Years Bookgifting + Researchers’ Network members photos + separate sessions for the different networks |
| 15.20 – 15.50 | Coffee Break & time for networking |
| 15.50 – 16.50 | Panel 2: In Research We Trust Moderator: Valentina Stoeva – Co-chair of EURead |
| Researcher’s Network: Changes in the reading ecology over the past 25 years Researchers: – Ly Chu (BookTrust, UK) – Katherine Wilkinson (Scottish Book Trust, UK) – Stefania Manetti (Nati per Leggere, Italy) – Marianne O’Kane Boal (Children’s Books Ireland, Ireland) – Dorette Louw (Book Dash, South Africa) – Niels Bakker (Stichting Lezen, the Netherlands) | |
| 16.50-17.10 | Sentobib Library Study Francis De Bonnaire Senior researcher, Sentobib |
| 17.10 – 17.55 | Panel 3: Global Network for Early Years Bookgifting Moderator: Peter Jenkins – Network Manager of the Global Network |
| – Els Michielsen (Boekstart Flanders, Belgium) – Ivana Alpeza (Born to Read, Croatia) – Edison Ricket (Reading Seeds, Sarawak, Malaysia) – Joel Elphas (TECEC, Tanzania) – Katarzyna Humeniuk (Polish Book Institute) and Maria Deskur (Universal Reading Foundation, Poland) |
| 17.55-18.00 | Reflections on Day 1 |
| 20.00 – 22.00 | Official dinner |
11th June, 2025 (Wednesday), Annual General Meeting 2025, Day 2
KBR – the Royal Library, Panorama Hall, Mont des Arts 28, Brussels, Belgium
| 09.00-09.10 | Warm-up |
| 09.10 – 10.30 | General Assembly – EURead Members Only! Moderator: Diana Gerald – Co-chair of EURead – Reports on finances, communication etc. – Elections of a new Board Member |
| 10.30-10.40 | Short Break |
| 10.40 – 11.30 | Panel 4: Partnerships Moderator: Valentina Stoeva – Co-chair of EURead |
| – Universal Reading Foundation (Poland) – EU funded project | |
| – Was steht da?/Children’s Books Ireland/Nati per Leggere (Austria, Ireland, Italy) – EU project collaboration | |
| 11.30 – 12.30 | Partnerships to Support and Enhance a Common European Reading Plan – Sharing good practices and ideas |
| 12.30 – 13.30 | LUNCH |
| 13.30 – 14.20 | Panel 5: School libraries Moderator: Daan Beeke – Network Manager of EURead |
| Discussion | |
| 14.20 – 14.30 | Short Break |
| 14.30 – 15.20 | Panel 6: Youth & Sport Moderator: Elaina Ryan – Children’s Books Ireland |
| Discussion | |
| 15.20 – 15.30 | Short Break |
| 15.30 – 15.50 | Draghi Report Discussion |
| 15.50 – 16.00 | Members’ Reflections on the AGM and Closing from the Board |
If you are interested in taking part, don’t hesitate to contact us at communication@euread.com
Open Forum “EURead: 25 years of getting Europe reading”
KBR – the Royal Library, Auditorium Hall, Mont des Arts 28, Brussels, Belgium
11th June, 2025 | 17.30–20.00
Open to public・Free entrance・Registration required: HERE
Open Forum’s Agenda: HERE
