Reading and learning are essential to children\u2019s growth and development; stories can fuel their imagination and raise awareness of new possibilities. As young people everywhere are a key asset in achieving the Goals, the SDG Book Club aims to encourage them to learn about the Goals in a fun, engaging way and help them realise what actions they can take, empowering them to make a difference.<\/p>\n
Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division in the UN Department of Global Communications, said \u201cKnowledge has always been key to progress; and books, in any form, are the means by which knowledge is preserved and shared. Our collaboration with the International Publishers Association on an SDG Book Club is an important initiative to reach children and youth with books and stories in multiple languages that introduce them to the Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of action to achieve them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Multilingualism is of essence in reaching a broad, global audience.\u00a0Titles\u00a0will be selected for each Goal, in each of the official languages of the United Nations \u2013 Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.<\/p>\n
During the announcement of the SDG Book Club, Dr Michiel Kolman, President of the IPA, said: \u201cImagine children in Asia reading about diversity and inclusion in Chinese; kids in South America enjoying Spanish language books on the importance of water in their lives. All children should have the opportunity to learn about and shape their world through the prism of the SDGs. We are convinced that the SDGs are attainable by 2030 and we hope that we can contribute to achieving this important goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The book selection for each goal will be announced monthly for seventeen months, starting with Goal 1 in April 2019 and culminating with Goal 17 in September 2020.<\/p>\n