Invitation to 4th IBBY Africa Regional Conference and Book Fair

Uganda Children’s Writers and Illustrators Association (UCWIA) the Uganda Chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) with partners including Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and National Book Trust of Uganda (NABOTU) are pleased to invite you to the 4th IBBY Africa Regional Conference to be hosted at Hotel Africana, Kampala on 22nd to 24th August 2017. The theme of the conference is, “Rethinking Contemporary Literature for Children and Young People in Africa.”

Africa is home to the most youthful population with those aged 15 constituting 50% of the population. It is this population whose literature is key in laying a foundation for their learning, now and in the future. There is however a dearth in not only quality literature for children and young people but also variety of titles and language diversity. ICT innovations including social media are changing the way the African youth searches for and disseminates information, it remains to be seen what kind of innovations are required to boost the writing and publishing of books for children and young people.

Conference speakers and keynote presentations from several countries in Africa and beyond will explore many of the issues highlighted above. In addition presentations will also tackle issues like the culture and state of reading on the continent, legal reform in respect to copyrights and intellectual freedom, the book value chain and pricing strategies for the digital environment.

In addition, there will be an exhibition of conference posters, unpublished manuscripts authored by children and published literature by publishers from all over Africa. The book fair is expected to attract parents, schools and other persons with interest in books and reading.

An excursion during the conference to Kawempe Church of Uganda Primary School Library which has in the past received generous support from IBBY and Namugongo Martyrs Shrine and Museum has been planned. The excursion will wind up at Ndere Centre, one of the top cultural venues in Kampala for an experience of Uganda culture especially for the foreign participants.

The IBBY Africa Regional Conference, which is the largest conference for writers and publishers of literature for children and young people on the African continent, is held every two years. The first and second conferences were held in South Africa in 2011 and 2013 and Rwanda hosted the 3rd conference in 2015.

Uganda is privileged to welcome writers, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, printers, librarians, academics, teachers, ICT innovators, literacy experts, policy makers to the 4th IBBY Africa Regional Conference in Kampala.

To attend the conference as a participant or an exhibitor, fill and return the attached registration forms with the requisite fees. Here below are the applicable fees:

Early Bird Registration (deadline 30th June 2017)

Local Participants US$ 110

Foreign Participants US$ 150

Late Registration

All participants US $ 200

Rental fees for Exhibition stalls (2 x2 metres)

Exhibition stalls (2 x 2 metres) Shs 800,000

Tours

Tour fees US $ 10

Registration is now open for participants and exhibitors. Kindly note the deadlines and fees for early bird registration. See registration form attached.

For further information:

Charles 0772580287, Eva 0782662979

Email: ibby2017@ucwia.or.ug

Yours Sincerely,

Evangeline Barongo

CHAIRPERSON