PH Reading Crisis in Focus at the Country’s First Reading Advocates Conference

The National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA), an organization composed of over 100 reading advocacy organizations, educators, and change-makers across the Philippines, will hold its first conference at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

The first NARA Conference, which carries the theme ”Pamitinan ng Lingkod-Mambabasa,” is convened by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) to address the challenges and seek out opportunities to help resolve the country’s reading crisis.

The conference’s theme, inspired by the limestone cave found in the foothills of the majestic Sierra Madre mountain range, represents the hope to spark a movement united for reading.

“We have gathered reading advocates from across the nation for a very important reason: We want them to talk and cooperate with each other. Our nation’s readership problem is multifaceted, which means it cannot be addressed by a single entity or the government alone. As secretariat of the NARA, we will exhaust all means to advance Philippine readership through collaboration and innovation,” according to NBDB Readership Development Division Chief Daniel Mariano.

The conference will look into the State of the Reading Nation, a showcase of innovative literacy programs, and networking opportunities. The alliance will also ratify and declare the NARA Agenda, a cornerstone document that details and highlights the areas and goals that will address the nation’s reading crisis.

”This is a groundbreaking move in advocating for our national readership. In a historic plenary of reading stewards, practical solutions and innovative strategies to advance the nation’s reading culture will be in focus. We look forward to seeing participants engage in discussions, workshops, and presentations centered on holistic approaches to readership development,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

Membership to the NARA is open to reading advocates who are committed to help improve Philippine readership. For more information and details on how to register, visit bit.ly/joinnara or contact the NBDB Reading Campaigns Section at campaigns@books.gov.ph.