Books make a difference!
Children’s right to read in challenging times
Protecting children’s right to read, to be heard and to access the widest range of books were the themes of this conference. Europe is facing a time of change, politically, socially and economically. Culture, education, children’s literature do not remain on the sidelines at such moments. Children's books are a tool for the transmission of political, social, educational and moral ideas, and the adults who produce, or make them available, for children must be free from censorship and political intervention. In this context, what kind of literature are we able to offer to children? What ideas of childhood are driving cultural forces? What curriculum is on offer? Is encouraging participation and political discussion part of this? Is there censorship in children's literature? Are there books for boys and books for girls? What are the taboos?
This IBBY Europe conference explored this situation and its impact on our work. We looked at the importance of developing agency for children and whether opportunities for this are threatened; at restrictions experienced by publishers, creators, reading promoters; at impacts on our organisation and working life. We used the opportunity for shared reflection, for creative and countercultural resistance and for exchange of ideas. We explored our collective commitment to the production of literature that respects and empathises with children and protects their freedoms and their fundamental rights to access to books and have freedom of expression.
The Conference took place on Thursday, 3 April 2025, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.