Nominee:

Australian Reading Hour

(Visit the project's website: Australian Reading Hour)

Presentation of the project

Australia comprises 25.3 million people across a land mass that is bigger than the whole of Europe. It is a developed nation, but there is a literacy problem. Some 44% of Australians do not reach level 3 literacy and are not easily able to read for example a newspaper, timetables or the instructions on medicine bottles. It is known that 15% of five-year-olds are at risk of not developing the literacy levels, they will need in later life. Furthermore, literacy levels in regional and remote parts of the country are significantly lower than those in cities.

The Australian Reading Hour addresses this issue by organising book tours and reading events with authors in Australia’s remote countryside. The project brings together authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians and others to promote the joy and benefits of reading for all ages. The group of people, involved in the project, also emphasises that these benefits are not only related to literacy and learning, but also to stress reduction, empathy and well-being.

The team behind the initiative provides the branding and the framework for activities, but participants are free to interpret it their own way. This results in amazing events, where people have used their imagination and creativity to create inspiring author talks, attention-grabbing art installations, and engaging group reading sessions.

Impact

The Australian Reading Hour reaches out to library and reading programs to support adult learners and encourage parents, who are not readers themselves, to share a book with their children. This will inspire parents to help their children in getting the best start in life. The initiative aims to help both children, young people and adults to discover and rediscover the joy of reading and to understand that literacy is an essential life skill and catalyst for well-being.