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International Conference on Children’s Libraries - Building a Book Culture 2010 |
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The Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC),
the Indian Section of the International Board on Books for young people
(IBBY), is holding a three-day International Conference on Children's
Libraries - Building a Book Culture, from 4-6 February, 2010 at New Delhi,
India. The aim of the Conference is to discuss the potential and scope of
libraries in strengthening the book culture. This Conference, a pioneering attempt
by the Indian BBY, is a step towards this goal.
AWIC, founded by Late K. Shankar Pillai in 1981, is a voluntary organisation
dedicated to the development and promotion of creative literature for children. It aims
at bringing books and children together and promoting the reading habit.
Reading books is an important ingredient in the development of the child's personality.
The role of children's libraries is crucial for creating a climate that encourages reading.
Let us join hands to strengthen the library movement every where in the world.
We invite children's librarians, educationists, publishers, authors and all others
interested in children and books, to attend this important Conference. Participants
will benefit from the academic sessions, share the experiences of eminent speakers
from around the world, and watch demonstrations of reading promotion activities. At the
same time, they will enjoy the attractive displays and culture al evenings organised
for the occasion.
AWIC Children's Library Project has been active for the last 25 years in India. It won
the prestigious IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award in 1991. The presence of IBBY-Asahi
award winners will be the highlight of the Conference. |
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AWIC Silver Jubilee Celebrations 2008 |
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The Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC), the Indian Section of the Internation al Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), is celebrating the silver jubilee of its Children's Library Project this year. On 29th April 2008, the Lt. Gov. of Delhi, Mr. Tejendra Khanna, will inaugurate th e 'Let us Read Together' campaign, devised by AWIC to mark the occasion, at a function in the auditorium of the India Islamic Cultural Centre, Lodi Road, New Delhi from 11 a.m. to 12.30 pm. To the children present there, he will read a story from a book which he enjoyed as a child. AWIC appeals to all schools and NGOs working with children to join the campaign and contrib ute to its success by making children read a storybook on that day any time between 11.30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Under the ir Gift a Book Campaign, AWIC has already distributed 5,000 books in Delhi and the NCR to children who have no access to interesting reading material. This campaign will continue throughout the silver jubilee year, extending beyond Delhi's borders to embrace children in other states. Projects highlighting children's books and promoting reading will be organised, as also workshops for librarians, teachers and parents on how to motivate children to read. |
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AWIC-IBBY Tsunami Project |
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In the third and the final phase of the Tsunami Project sponsored by IBBY, AWIC sent a team of three members to distribute books to the children of Tsunami hit areas of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, at the invitation of Dr Manga Devi, an AWIC member and pioneer in promoting reading in the Andhra belt. The team comprised Shail Tiwari, Ranjana Goyal and Virbala Rastogi.
The coastal town of Nizampatnam was chosen for the distribution of the books in 30 schools. Each school was given about 200 books.
More than 300 children, their teachers, headmasters and the Mandal Education officers, who had assembled in the local school hall, were thrilled to see the attractive storybooks carried by the team.
The assembled children tremendously enjoyed the storytelling session rendered by the AWIC team. Book related activities were also taken up with the children who in turn entertained the visiting guests. |
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AWIC Silver Jubilee 2006 |
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The Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC) completed 25
years in 2006. On 19 August, 2006 Silver Jubilee Day was celebrated at India International Centre to
honour AWIC members for their contribution to the organisation. Late Shri K. Shankar Pillai, the founder
of AWIC was remembered by the members who paid fond tributes to his memory. A short film on the growth of
AWIC, exhibition of AWIC publications and a photo exhibition depicting AWIC through the years were some
of the significant events of the day.
In April 2006, a seminar and storytelling workshop were held at Pantnagar University, Uttranchal, closely
followed in May 2006, by an interaction of AWIC members and school children organised in collaboration
with AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association) in Jaipur. The National Book Week at Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh
was combined with AWIC Silver Jubilee celebration from 14-16 November, 2006. |
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International Book Day 2005 |
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Each year one national section of International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).
is allotted the ICBD campaign. In 2005, AWIC had this privilege. A poster and message titled "Books
are My Magic Eyes" based on an ancient Indian legend was published by AWIC and circulated all over
the world.
AWIC also planned two other ICBD events - the National Convention on Children's Libraries and the
Asian Conference on Storytelling. |
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National Convention on Children's Libraries: 29-30 April 2005 |
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The two-day convention focused upon new forays of the library movement and on reading
promotion. The role of NGOs and local bodies in establishing libraries and the creation of a National
Children's Library Board under the auspices of National Child Development Programme was emphasised. |
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Asian Conference on Storytelling to Promote the Reading Habit in Children: 19-21
September 2005 |
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The event was inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman, Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Eminent writers and scholars highlighted the tradition and art of storytelling through papers, while
storytellers from Japan, Pakistan and India enchanted children and adults alike. A short film, Story of
Meena, presented by Unicef, conveyed a significant social message. Children with special needs enacted a
dramatic tale while stories were also presented through Indian classical dance forms. |
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National Seminar on Storytelling to Promote Children's Books: 5-6 September 2003 |
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Educationists and well-known writers discussed the art of storytelling. Delegates recommended
that the Ministry of Culture should support NGOs engaged in children's literary activities. The need to
promote storytelling through electronic media was reiterated. |
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Indo-Austrian Seminar and Exhibition on Picture Books and SAARC Countries: 22 January 2001 |
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There was a fine display of picture books from Austria, India and SAARC countries. Peter
Schneck the IBBY president, and the Austrian author Martin Auer discussed various aspects of picture
books with participants from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The seminar concluded with a
general consensus on a two-way cooperation between the developed nations and SAARC countries. This
cooperation would encompass joint publications, translations and exchange programmes. |
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AWIC Awards 2001 |
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The Minister of Information and Broadcasting Sushma Swaraj presented AWIC Honours to Leela
Mazumdar (author), Pulak Biswas (illustrator) and Dr. Zaidi (researcher) of children's books. AWIC Honour
2001 was awarded to Chitose Suzuki of Japan for contribution to children's literature and to the AWIC
Literacy Project. |
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26th IBBY Congress - Peace through Children's Books: 20-24 September 1998 |
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Delegates from 44 countries participated in this international congress that focused on peace and
projecting it through children's books.
The Congress was inaugurated by the former President of India R. Venkataraman. I.K.Gujral, the former
Prime Minister of India, was the honoured guest. To mark this occasion, a postage stamp for AWIC was
released. The Finance Minister of India, Yashwant Sinha, gave the valedictory address.
The keynote address by Empress Michiko of Japan was delivered through a video. It emphasized "...joy
in books... imparts the joy of living to the reader... providing wings for him to take flight... from
grief, pains and helplessness".
The Hans Christian Award for Author was presented to the American Writer Katherine Paterson and the
French Illustrator Toni Ungerer. The Palestine Library on Wheels for Peace and Non-violence was
presented the IBBY-ASAHI Reading Promotion Award.
Special exhibitions entitled Panchatantra, On Wings of Peace, Indian Illustrators, the ACCU Noma Concours,
IBBY Honour List, The Best from India and Hello! Dear Enemy! were organised during this Congress. |
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National Seminar and Exhibition on Panchatantra: 26 February 1997 |
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At this seminar, Panchatantra, the world's oldest collection of stories, was extolled.
Literary personalities and scholars discussed the eternal values of Panchatantra and deliberated on
its style and content. The seminar was effectively complemented by an exhibition of books on
Panchatantra in various languages from India and across the world. |
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International Understanding through Children's Literature: 7 February, 1994 |
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The impact of co-publication, role of translators in familiarizing children in India with
best books in English, illustrations are capable of building bridges in the field of children's literature.
"The key to global peace and harmony lies in the creation of feelings of empathy between peoples." |
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Exhibition of Original Illustrations at Children's Book Fair at Bologna, Italy - April, 1992 |
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With the support of Sahitya Kala Parishad, Delhi, AWIC organised the first ever exhibition
of original illustrations in Indian Children's Books with an intent to promote Indian illustrators. The
Exhibition of Original Illustrations was exhibited at the Children's Book Fair, Bologna, Italy. A special
poster was made to mark this occasion. It adorned the walls of the Bologna Book Fair making it glow with
the colours of India. For the same occasion, AWIC also published an illustrators' catalogue titled Indian
Illustrators 1960-1992. This catalogue documents the quality of Indian art and styles of illustration. |
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