Asociación Galega de Editores

The Strength of Minorities, Santiago de Compostela 2009

Wednesday, 06 May 2009

We all constitute an immense minority in one or another way. Either through promoting, writing or illustrating books for children and young people and publishing them in a language or culture distinct from the majority codes; or reading books in the backdrop of an economically unstable climate or with physical and mental disabilities, which hinder access to cultural equality. Children forced to act as adults in societies which disregard the fundamental rights of childhood. Those forced to emigrate and start anew in a foreign language or culture. Stateless persons. Or those experiencing, speaking, loving and reading as part of a minority group. Here you are our congress' general theme and topic.The situation of minorities is a worry of IBBY from many year ago. That's explain the existence of the IBBY Documentation Centre of Books for Disabled Young People, Oslo, and the future creation of the IBBY Centre on Books for Children and Young People from the Cultural Diversity, in Santiago de Compostela.

Speakers, name by name

From now onwards we going to reveal, name by name, who will be the conferences speakers and round tables members in our congress. Here you are our first announcement:

Teresa Colomer (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain)

One of the most prominent researchers in the literature for children and youth. Her plenary lecture will reflect on the situation of children's literature as a minority in the literature's field.

Heidi Cortner Boiesen (Norway)

Director of the IBBY Documentation Centre of Books for Disabled Young People. She will talk about the constraints faced by children with psycho-physical difficulties in access to books and reading, and the existence of means to overcome them.

Emilia Ferreiro (Argentina/Mexico)

One of the greatest international authorities on issues of literacy and written language acquisition. She will talk about a minority expressions related to the difficulty or impossibility of access to the text.

Víctor F. Freixanes (Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain)

Writer, publisher and expert about the situation of cultural industries in minority contexts. He will analyze the possibilities that a minority language and culture have to compete in an increasingly globalized world without having to leave its personality and identity.

Olayinka Koso-Thomas (Nigeria/Sierra Leone)

President of the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children, Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation 1998. She will reflect on the cultural traditions related to discrimination against girls and women.

More information: IBBY