Report from Trieste on Irene Vasco, Recipient of IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award

IBBY hosted its 39th World Congress in Trieste, Italy, from August 29 to September 1, where 700 people from all over the world (authors, illustrators, scholars, reading promoters, and more) celebrated the magic of children’s literature.

Every two years, IBBY invites nominations from IBBY National Sections that recognize outstanding individuals working to promote the expansion and development of children’s reading. The IBBY-iRead Award Jury selects two winners, showcasing the impact of their work. 

In June 2023, IBBY Canada nominated Irene Vasco, a Colombian children’s literature expert, lecturer, writer, and reading promoter. The jury awarded the 2024 IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter to Vasco and to Basarat Kazim from Pakistan, nominated by IBBY Pakistan.

Vasco has dedicated her whole life to reading promotion. She has consistently been one of the most influential voices in the field of reading promotion. Her life revolves around readers. In accepting this honourable distinction, Vasco expressed her gratitude to IBBY and especially to IBBY Canada for the nomination. Vasco made a brief tour of her work as a promoter of reading in Colombia, where the challenge of training readers is enormous. She pointed out that reading is essential to be a free citizen who actively participates in constructing a country. However, reading is not enough. It is necessary to take a step forward in educating citizens who must also be able to write. Vasco also spoke at a roundtable on reading promotion at Congress.

She is not alone in this universe of reading and writing promotion. Public and private entities initiate programs every year, and people remain committed to the Colombia’s reading growth.

Submitted by Marcela Mangarelli

Irene Vasco receiving award
Irene Vasco acceptance speech

 

iRead Jury + iRead Foundation + iRead recipients + Carolina Ballester

 

Irena Vasco discussing her experiences in Colombia at the Roundtable

 

 

 

 

 

Irene Vasco with her book, The Teacher and the Great Serpent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roundtable participants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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