JBBY News_09/2025_Commemorative Lecture Celebrating the Visit of the IBBY President
2026年7月29日
“In a Challenging World: What Can Children’s Books Do?”
On 3 September 2025, JBBY hosted a special lecture by IBBY President Basarat Kazim. President Kazim visited Japan after attending the IBBY Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in Suwon, Republic of Korea, together with IBBY Executive Director Carolina Ballester and Secretariat member Alessandra Leopardi.
The event welcomed a wide range of participants involved in children’s books—including authors, illustrators, translators, editors, publishers, librarians, researchers, and reading promotion professionals—both in person and online.
In his lecture, President Kazim introduced the vision of IBBY founder Jella Lepman, who believed that children’s books can build bridges for peace and reconciliation, and explained how this vision continues to guide IBBY’s work today. He also presented IBBY’s Children in Crisis programme, which supports children affected by war and natural disasters through books, highlighting ongoing projects in Ukraine, Lebanon, and Gaza.
Executive Director Carolina Ballester then spoke about IBBY’s international activities, which promote mutual understanding through stories, foster peace through books, and encourage children to imagine a better future through reading.
A reception followed the lecture, giving participants the opportunity to meet President Kazim and the IBBY Secretariat in person and exchange ideas.
The event offered participants a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of IBBY’s mission, its international activities, and the important role that children’s books can play in a challenging world.