In a significant move to enhance literacy and promote reading among the youth, UNESCO has officially launched a global reading campaign in Rabat, Morocco, coinciding with the city’s designation as the World Book Capital for the year 2026. The initiative, titled "Reading for the Future," was announced by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for education and culture, during an event that also featured the attendance of Moroccan Culture Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and other regional officials. This campaign aims to bridge literacy gaps and support the development of young writers, recognizing the essential role that reading plays in cultivating knowledge-based societies.
Sheikha Bodour emphasized the importance of investing in reading as a means to empower individuals and equip them with the tools needed to shape a brighter future. The campaign emerges in response to alarming global literacy statistics, which indicate that approximately 244 million children are out of school, and nearly 70% of children in low-income countries struggle to read a simple text by the age of ten. In addition to the primary campaign, a complementary initiative titled "Voices of Young World Book Capitals" has been introduced, targeting emerging writers aged 18 to 30 by providing them with international exposure and opportunities for publication.
UNESCO officials indicated that these programs are designed to integrate education, creativity, and cultural policy, thereby supporting the United Nations' sustainable development goal focused on quality education. The recognition of Rabat as a World Book Capital positions Morocco as a pivotal player in global cultural initiatives, with the campaign anticipated to foster collaboration among institutions, publishers, and policymakers to enhance access to reading and improve overall literacy rates.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
