World Book and Copyright Day

The World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally on 23 April and it promotes the joy and benefits of reading. Through reading we could open ourselves to others despite distance, and we can travel thanks to imagination. On this Day we need to recognise the magical power of books, a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures.

This date was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone to access books. Especially nowadays, the power of books can be leveraged to combat isolation, to reinforce ties between people, and to expand their horizons, while stimulating their minds and creativity. We can only champion books and copyright by standing up for creativity, diversity and equal access to knowledge.

With the active involvement of all stakeholders: authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, humanitarian NGOs and the mass media, and all those who feel motivated to work together in this world celebration of books and authors. The World Book and Copyright Day has become a platform to rally together millions of people all around the world. Hence, on this day we wish to encourage young people to continuously appreciate books and treasure the knowledge and value obtained by reading them.

We, at World Assembly of Youth (WAY), recognise that youth are struggling in extremely various situations with diverse traces and perspectives, mental and social growth. In addition, the existence of technology has influenced young people’s preferences on entertainment leading most of them spending lesser leisure time on reading. Our encouragement towards reading has even gone further than just raising awareness amongst young people as we continue to publish resourceful reading materials such as: news, press releases, bulletins, informative flyers, and even book especially those related to youth issues.

Acknowledging on the challenges encountered in our society today, we urge young people to develop a habit of reading regularly so as to increase their knowledge on various subject matters. We believe that books are the treasure of literacy, they are miraculous in their every word and imaginative sentences.

Do express your love for reading in this day, and every day!