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between

CODE

and the

International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)

IBBY and CODE agree upon the intrinsic value and importance of reading and literacy, which are prerequisites for seeking and accessing information of any kind, and understanding and making use of it. Reading is a condition for participative citizenship, social inclusion, the creation of new knowledge, empowerment in the widest sense and learning for life.

The participating organizations understand that there are different ways of learning, and of developing and sustaining literacy. Unrestricted access to books of quality, that are pertinent to the reader’s experience, in the reader’s language, and culturally relevant, together with unimpeded access to books from around the world, lies at the heart of a literate society. Education (formal, non-formal, and informal), support for local publishing and publishing in minority languages and library programming are complementary sources and enablers of knowledge. They are central pillars to our aims, goals, and values.

Literacy, in the broadest sense, is the ability to make use of various sources of information and improve human quality of life. It includes the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information in many ways

Literacy is a lifelong process, which is most effectively ensured by granting each and every child the right and the means to read. Literacy must be continually maintained throughout a person’s life. Education and access to books and sources of information as a basic human right has to include the right to read as a precondition. Our commonality is the role of reading in society.

In order to live up to these affirmations, we agree to work together on:

• establishing associated status with each other, based on our common interests,
• and on cooperating when possible and or desirable to enhance our effectiveness and outreach.

We therefore agree to work on practical modalities which include:

• Exchange of expertise
• Joint statements, declarations, manifestos, etc.
• Joint advocacy and support for each others’ advocacy activities
• Joint research activities
• Joint workshops and/or training sessions
• Joint projects
• Links to each other on the websites of our organizations