Reading for Pleasure Conference

The second edition of this Emirates Literature Foundation conference brings together a diverse selection of educators and experts from across the globe, including some of the most influential voices in the fields. The aim: to discuss and offer guides to best practice with the overall aim of fostering a love of reading amongst children. This year’s theme, Beyond the Classroom, focuses on the need to extend the scope of reading and associated activities, considering such issues as reading with STEM, inclusivity, the impact of AI on reading, and topics as explorative as reading art and keeping culture alive for children. Perhaps the tone will be set by the opening session, which has the title ‘Reading in schools – we’re doing it wrong’; librarian and library adviser Alan Jacques has the hot seat for this one, which he’s amplified as ‘Literacy rates are up and yet global statistics show that reading level are down … what’s happening?’

The conference runs afternoons only 9 to 11 May. It is definitely one for librarians, teachers and other professionals, but there will be important learnings for parents too …