Putrajaya Gears Up to Host IBBY International Congress 2022

Perbadanan Putrajaya (Putrajaya Corporation) is proud to host the 38th International Board on Books for Young People Congress 2022 (IBBY International Congress 2022 or IBBY 2022 for short), which will be held from the 5th until 8th September 2022 at the Putrajaya Corporation Complex, Precinct 3, Putrajaya, Malaysia. It is an honour for Putrajaya to be chosen as the venue of this prestigious congress, the first venue in Southeast Asia and the fourth in Asia after New Delhi, Tokyo and Macau to ever host the congress, which champions the best of children’s and young people’s literature worldwide. IBBY 2022 marks Putrajaya taking over the hosting of the congress from Moscow, slated from the 10th until 12th of September 2021 (postponed from September 2020).

IBBY 2022 will bring the theme “The Power of Stories” to explore narratives that are specially created for young people – whom IBBY defines as those between the ages of 0 and 17 – across countries, cultures and education systems. They will then be discussed and shared together with experts and event attendees from around the world for the purpose of celebrating diversity and building bridges of understanding and tolerance.

This biennial event – considered as one of the literary world’s most anticipated – brings together publishers, writers, storytellers, illustrators, educators and book lovers around the world to promote international understanding through children’s books, set high literary and artistic standards, and provide support and training for those in the field.

According to the President of the Malaysian Board on Books for Young People (MBBY), Dato’ Ahmad Redza bin Ahmad Khairuddin, Putrajaya is chosen as the venue of the congress due to the close rapport and working relationship established between Perbadanan Putrajaya and IBBY Malaysia since 2014. In 2015, Putrajaya hosted the 2nd IBBY Asia Oceania Regional Conference. Since then, many events have been jointly promoted and held in Putrajaya with a special focus on enhancing the awareness and activism in literature and reading programs for young people.

“By holding this congress, our ambition is to bring the best practices and experts in the field of young people’s literature, reading, writing, and illustration. There are also plenty of opportunities for all Malaysians to come and participate, as well as benefit from interacting with influential figures in this field,” adds Dato’ Ahmad Redza.

Perbadanan Putrajaya is convinced that the IBBY International Congress 2022 will boost the tourism sector in the city, especially after being seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is expected to propel Malaysian literature internationally while benefitting young people and industry players in Putrajaya and beyond. “Hopefully by September 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic has abated, and travel is allowed again so that many people can come to Malaysia, especially those who have missed the congress in Moscow and the Bologna Bookfair in 2021. We look forward to welcoming 800 delegates, both from Malaysia and the rest of the world,” beams Tengku Aina binti YTM Tengku Ismail Shah, Perbadanan Putrajaya’s Corporate Communications Director.

Kick-starting the preparation for the congress, Perbadanan Putrajaya sets the right tone with an array of activities leading up to the big affair in 2022. Among them are the Children’s Story Book and Picture Book Competition in conjunction with Putrajaya’s silver jubilee celebration; a virtual Putrajaya Storytelling Festival that showcases eight prolific writers and illustrators, including the internationally-acclaimed storyteller Beatriz Montero who delivered the story entitled ‘The Day Box Boy Saved Putrajaya’ authored by the Malaysian illustrator CK Koh; the launch of special publication of a premium illustrated children’s story book in collaboration with MBBY called ‘Magnificent Putrajaya!’ featuring stories with places in Putrajaya as the background by renowned local illustrators and writers; a special MBBY-Palestine Fundraiser to support IBBY’s effort in providing access to libraries with reading materials and computer facility for the children in Gaza; and a virtual Children’s Book Writing, Illustration and Storytelling Workshop, including a Children’s Story Book Competition in partnership with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

On the same note, during IBBY 2022, members of the public can admire beautiful murals that spur the imagination at the following locations when exploring Putrajaya: the waterfront in Precinct 4, the Alamanda Steps in Precinct 1, and the walkway and tunnel in Precinct 8.

IBBY Congress 2022 is fully supported by Perbadanan Putrajaya, Selangor University, Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC), Malaysia Covention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCeb), Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia.

For more information on IBBY International Congress 2022, please visit www.ibbycongress2022.org, www.ibby.org or www.mbby.org.

Highlights of the upcoming IBBY International Congress 2022:

1. The Hans Christian Andersen Award Presentation The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international distinction given to the creators of books for young people. Given every other year by IBBY, the Hans Christian Andersen Awards recognise lifelong achievement and are given to an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made an important and lasting contribution to literature for young people. Sixty-two candidates from 33 countries have been nominated for the 2022 Hans Christian Andersen Award.

2. The IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award Presentation The IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award is bestowed biennially to a group or institution whose outstanding work bring lasting contribution to promote reading among young people. The Award was established in 1986 and is sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Nominations are submitted by the National Sections of IBBY and may include reading promotion projects from any part of the world. The prize of USD10,000 and a diploma are presented to the winning project at the biennial IBBY Congress.

3. The IBBY-iRead Reading Promoter Award Presentation The IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award has been established by the Shenzhen iRead Foundation and IBBY to spur real commitment towards promoting reading among young people and inspire others around the globe to do the same. The award aims at encouraging investments by individuals, organisations and governments to promote young people’s reading and stimulate educational innovation, providing greater access to books and enhancing their reading profile.

4. The IBBY Honour List Presentation The IBBY Honour List is a biennial selection of outstanding, recently published books, honouring writers, illustrators and translators from IBBY member countries. The titles are selected by the National Sections, which nominate one book for each of the three categories. To be part of the Honour List, the nominated titles should represent the best in young people’s literature from the member countries and suitable for publication throughout the world.

5. The Plenary Session Two speakers from Malaysia and three international speakers will be invited to address the issues revolving young people’s literature.

6. The Poster Presentation Selected posters will be on display for an hour during the congress.

7. The Papers Presentation Participants get to share various perspectives on influential works of youth literature and discuss them according to subthemes, for instance ‘Cognitive Power In Young People’s Development’, ‘Stories for Healing for Young People’, ‘Power of Visual and Aural Presentation in Young People’s Stories’, ‘Bridging Divides in Young People’s Literature’, ‘Identity and Values in Young People’s Literature’ and ‘Empathy and Memory in Stories and Storytelling for Young People.’

Q & A with Dato’ Ahmad Redza bin Ahmad Khairuddin, President of Malaysian Board on Books for Young People

How much progress has IBBY been making over the years in bringing books and young people together? IBBY has been active since 1953, making it almost 70 years of age. Much progress has been made in bringing books and young people together. With 80 countries in IBBY, the width and depth of IBBY’s work is proven. Each national section is actively promoting activities in reading and development of young people’s literature in the context of each country’s needs and practices, ably supported by IBBY International through collaborations and support from other more established national sections. Regional conferences are held every two years preceding the IBBY International Congress, which is held biennially as well.

Authors and illustrators are recognised by the Hans Christian Andersen Awards, which is among the most prestigious award in the world, given in the field of literature for young people. In addition, we have the IBBY Asahi Reading Promotion Award and the IBBY IRead Reading Promoter Award to recognise reading activities and promoters of reading. In many areas of conflict and disasters, IBBY is present to support and provide relief to young people, including women and adults, through books and literature. IBBY has often been entrusted with funds by donors to carry out activities on reading, development of reading culture, publications of books in areas of need. IBBY’s role in the world for therapy and support for young people is widely recognised and accepted without discrimination of race, colour nor religion.

What are the issues that will be addressed during the congress? How can those issues be applied to the Malaysian context? Could you kindly share with us some examples of the works and initiatives that IBBY plans to highlight during the congress?

The IBBY 2022 in Putrajaya is set to bring together a whole diverse group of experts from various parts of the world comprising laureates, authors, illustrators, practitioners, librarians, academicians and caregivers to share their knowledge and experiences in the field of reading, writing, illustrating, storytelling and working with young people in crisis such as war and natural disasters. We will be showcasing works of award-winning authors and illustrators from the Hans Christian Anderson Awards, Nami Concours, winners of the Asahi and IRead awards. There will be opportunities to meet the winners themselves as they will be invited to attend and receive their respective awards in Putrajaya. On top of keynote, plenary and panel sessions, pre- and post-congress workshops, sessions to meet authors and award winners, and masterclass workshops conducted by experts are in the offing. Malaysian leading artists, authors, editors, publishers, academicians, teachers, and caregivers will also be given equal opportunities to present or meet the experts. Subject to the availability of sponsorships, our delegates might stay longer in Malaysia to visit or conduct special sessions to share their expertise.

Q & A with Tengku Aina binti YTM Tengku Ismail Shah, Corporate Communications Director, Perbadanan Putrajaya

Which sites in Putrajaya are identified as venues for IBBY 2022?

The Perbadanan Putrajaya Complex is the main venue for the congress with all our facilities being booked to host this event. We aspire to present an aura of fun and relaxation for everyone, either from local or overseas, to enjoy our facilities, beautiful landscape and weather for this congress. We understand from MBBY that IBBY Congress is meant to be organised without too much formality and protocol, allowing all delegates to mingle and enjoy networking and making friends. We intend to provide such an atmosphere for them to remember Putrajaya as the best congress ever where the delegates can make use of the green spaces surrounded by water features and beautiful architecture as the backdrop. Delegates are encouraged to take in the landscape and buildings at the congress site, take photos and post Instagram moments.

Are the facilities sufficient to accommodate them? Does Putrajaya need to build additional infrastructure for IBBY 2022?

Our current facilities are adequate to accommodate such numbers and we are not building any new buildings for this. If needed, we can collaborate with other agencies to provide more space within the surroundings of the Complex. For accommodation, we have many hotels now around Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. Transport is good and we will ensure that delegates are well equipped with information to ensure their timely transportation and safety.

What kind of benefits are expected to be gained by Putrajaya through the hosting of IBBY 2022? In what way could the event elevate Putrajaya’s position as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE)?

Being the administrative capital of Malaysia, Putrajaya’s architecture and facilities enable visitors to make the most of their visit. We have great facilities for meetings and conventions, accommodation and food, together with strategically located transport networks that easily connect delegates to KLIA and Kuala Lumpur. Coupled with our renowned hospitality, visitors are bound to enjoy Putrajaya. Our delegates from all over the world will see that Putrajaya is not only Malaysia’s federal administrative capital, but also a vibrant cultural hub offering the best for young people to indulge in literature, culture and fantasy.

There are different facets of Putrajaya to be explored such as the flora and fauna, lake and wetlands, the amazing urban birding experience, extreme sports and more. Putrajaya is bicycle-friendly and its walking trails are safe, much to the delegates’ and their families’ enjoyment. The publicity received from the congress and word-of-mouth should attract more visitors to make Putrajaya as one of their chosen holiday destinations – and organisations as their MICE destination – since the city is capable in hosting large scale international MICE and continues to bid for world class events.

Hosting of IBBY 2022 is beneficial to the Putrajaya community and related businesses in Malaysia. The link and relationship forged with member countries and delegates should continue. I believe IBBY members would be happy to elevate young people’s literature in Putrajaya. Being a young city, we value creativity and innovation, thus literature should not be confined to libraries and schools but promoted in various other dimensions throughout the city. We intend to attract more young people to become writers and illustrators. For a start, with the help of our partner MBBY, we have selected the potential candidates in 2021 and the classes are still ongoing. Beyond IBBY 2022, Putrajaya is confident that the writers, illustrators, academicians, publishers and related businesses in Malaysia stand to immensely gain from the congress, at the same time widening their international contacts.

What are Putrajaya Corporation’s plans to help make IBBY Congress 2022 memorable and ensure that the visitors to the event return to Putrajaya in the future?

Perbadanan Putrajaya has embarked on the promotion plans for Congress via “Road to IBBY Congress 2022” plans. Many activities had been planned and have been implemented. Many more will be held as we get nearer to the actual congress. For the delegates, we plan to provide the best experience through our hospitality encompassing transportation, hotels, food and facilities. We are planning various excursion programmes, including pre- and post-congress activities, for delegates and accompanying persons to other places bordering Putrajaya as well. We want to showcase our culture and beauty of our multicultural society and enable direct contacts where possible. Long- and medium-term relationships are something we seek to establish among the delegates, their countries and even the NGOs so that in the future we will see them returning to Putrajaya.