At the signing of the agreement on the Ibero-American Movement in Favor of the Promotion of Books and Reading are IPA president Karine Pansa, left, and Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean secretary-general Alejandra Claros Borda. Image: IPA
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
Pansa: ‘More Inclusive and Equitable Societies’
Today (September 5) in São Paulo at the city’s 27th biennial international book fair, the International Publishers Association (IPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The plan is to have the Geneva-based IPA work with the Organization of Ibero-American States. That’s a governmental international organization for cooperation among 19 Ibero-American countries in the fields of education, science, technology and culture. Fundação Santillana
With the Organization of Ibero-American States, the initiative is to have IPA monitor and implement initiatives to promote reading and books, with the support of Brazil’s Santillana Foundation. And this program’s title is the Ibero-American Movement in Favor of the Promotion of Books and Reading.
Karine Pansa
Karine Pansa, a São Paulo-based publisher who is the president of the International Publishers Association, said during the agreement-signing event today, “Reading plays a crucial role in educational, social, and economic development.
“It’s not only an essential tool for education and personal development, but also a means to preserve and disseminate cultural identity, encourage critical thinking, and strengthen social cohesion.
“Through reading, we promote access to knowledge, encourage creativity, and build more inclusive and equitable societies.”
Alejandra Claros Borda
Speaking for the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, its secretary-general, Alejandra Claros Borda, was quoted, saying, “We are excited to be part of the 2024 São Paulo International Book Fair, an event that not only celebrates literature, but also promotes inclusion and diversity.
“Our participation in this event reinforces our commitment to culture, education and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Raphael Callou
And Raphael Callou, the Organization of Ibero-American States’s general director of culture, was quoted, saying, “It is a great honor to discuss the Ibero-American Movement in Favor of Books, Reading, and Writing—a fundamental initiative for strengthening public policies in the sector and for access to books in Ibero-America.
“Culture and education are essential rights, as are powerful tools for building more just, inclusive, and equitable societies. At the Ibero-American Organization, we ‘re committed to promoting innovative actions that enhance reading skills.”
Four Parts to the Initiative
At the signing of the agreement for the Ibero-American project in reading and books are, from left, Santiago Plata (Organization of Ibero-American States); Karine Pansa (International Publishers Association); Margarita Cuéllar Barona (CERLALC); Luciano Monteiro (Brazilian Book Chamber); Alejandra Claros (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean); Jaime Abello Banfi (the Gabo Foundation). Image: IPA
The parties today have listed four leading components of the “movement”:
- “The promotion of public policies that encourage reading and access to books. It’s essential that our governments commit to implementing policies that guarantee sustainable and equitable access to reading and quality education.
- “The generation of knowledge and innovation about best practices and successful experiences in the region. We need to share and adapt the best reading promotion practices for our specific realities, generating knowledge that allows us to innovate and advance.
- “The promotion of a regional alliance that articulates the different actors in the book and reading ecosystem. With cooperation between governments, multilateral organizations, companies, and
professionals in the sector, we’ll have the foundations to stimulate an environment conducive to reading and the development of the publishing industry. - “The proposal and development of information, awareness and awareness actions. We must work to create a culture that values books and reading as central elements for personal and social development.”
The 19 countries of the Organization of Ibero-American States are:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Portugal
- Spain
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
At the São Paulo International Book Fair. Image: Biennale do Livro SP
A Programming Note
Set among the Ibero-American states of the new agreement, the 34th International Publishers Congress (December 3 to 6) at Guadalajara continues to receive registrations.
The upcoming biennial congress is produced by the Mexican Publishers Association, the Cámara Nacional de la Industria Editorial Mexicana (CANIEM) led by IPA past president Hugo Setzer and the Association of American Publishers (AAP). Coordinating in the organization of the International Publishers Congress are the Guadalajara International Book Fair and the University of Guadalajara.
As our readers know, some of the key themes planned for the congress are copyright; the freedom to publish; the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals; trade; education; and STM publishing.
A dedicated site for the congress is here, with registration details now available here.
At the São Paulo International Book Fair. Image: Biennale do Livro SP
More from Publishing Perspectives on the Latin American and Caribbean markets is here, more on international book fairs and trade shows is here, more on the Brazilian market is here, and more on the work of the International Publishers Association is here.
Publishing Perspectives is the International Publishers Association’s world media partner.
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