IBBY BIENNIAL REPORT 2010-2012

INFORMATION REQUESTED FOR THE NS BIENNIAL REPORTS

Reporting period: 2010 - 2012

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Country

Pakistan

1.2 Name, address, telephone, fax, e-mail and website of the National Section (NS)

Alif Laila Book Bus Society / IBBY Pakistan

3-B, Gulberg II , Pakistan

(92) 042 3 5760552-35758395 (Fax): 92 042 35762238 www.aliflaila.org.pk

1.3 Representatives

1.3.1 President of the National Section (NS)

Syeda Basarat Midhat Kazim

1.3.2 Secretary or main executive officer of the NS

Ms. Rabia Khan

1.3.3 IBBY main Liaison Officer or contact person

I. Ms. Sabah Rehman

II. Ms. Ayesha Jabbar

1.4 Organization Structure 1.4.1 How is your NS organized? Describe the structure of the NS in general.

The IBBY Pakistan NS team comprises of individuals and organizations working together as a to promote quality literature for children and to bring children and books together. The core team includes members of Alif Laila team (the NS is affiliated with Alif Laila Book Bus Society) , who volunteer for IIBBY projects. The section is headed by a President and a Secretary. The organizational structure is flat, with every one having a direct link with the team lead.

IBBY Pakistan has brought together a group of experts,. The group of volunteers promote IBBY Pakistan and advocate reading and help IBBY Pakistan organize events and campaigns.

1.4.2 Is your NS affiliated to, or a branch of another organization or institution? If so, which one?

The national secretariat, IBBY Pakistan is affiliated to the Alif Laila Book Bus Society, a registered non-profit, non-government organization. Alif Laila has been working to promote reading since 1978. The organization is accredited with setting up the first children’s library in the country. Alif Laila is the leading organization in Pakistan working to promote children’s libraries and reading habits in children. The organization has set up libraries and resource centres all over the country, in urban as well as in remote rural areas in plains or mountains.

1.4.3 Do you have an office and paid staff?

IBBY Pakistan is housed at Alif Laila Book Bus Society. The IBBY National secretariat does not have paid employees any is run by a dedicated team of volunteers. Everyone on the team ,from the leadership to other staff members, works voluntarily.

1.4.4 How often do you have business meetings?

We have an annual planning meeting and monthly meetings to check the proegress of projects and discuss ideas.

1.4.5 Does your NS have organizations as members? How many? What kind of organizations?

Organizations that are interested in promoting reading culture in the country are active as well as unofficial members. As reading is still not a top priority for many organizations it is not easy to convince them to become a member.

Alam al-Khayal Foundation for Cultural Education is one of NS active member organization working towards civil society reform in Pakistan. One component of AK's work concerns youth initiatives and programmes for children which aim at reviving the rich literary, musical, cultural and spiritual heritage of the Sub-Continent. AK conducts summer story-telling workshops in Lahore where children and youths are introduced to the traditional art of story-telling; an integral part of the ancient education system of the Sub-Continent.

Funkor Childart Center is another member organization that organizes book reading sessions of the books written and illustrated by Fauzia Aziz Minallah. Funkor distributes picture books and notebooks Funkor was short listed for the Bremen Peace award in Germany in 2009, as one of the nominated projects and organizations, which are exemplary in their work for peace, justice and integrity of creation.

Idara –e-Taleem-o-Agahi is also a member of IBBY Pakistan. ITA, in collaboration with OUP, FOSI, and Alif Laila Book Bus Society organized the first ever children’s literature festival in Lahore. The team is now organizing festivals and book fairs all over the country.

Book Group is another esteemed member of IBBY Pakistan that has revolutionized children’s literature in Pakistan. The organization is working hard to produce quality children’s literature

1.4.6 Does your NS have individual members? How many? How do they contribute to the NS activities?

The organization have individual members and we are working on increasing the number. Efforts are being made to attract more writers, illustrators, educationists and individuals who support children’s literature. The NS teachers, students, civil society activists, media personnel, writers, illustrators, story tellers, publishers, educationists and reading enthusiasts as members. Individual members who have worked exceptionally hard to take the mission of the NS include Rumanna Hussain

One of NS individual members, Fauzia Aziz Minallah is a passionate children’s books author. Through children literature she raises issues of peace, tolerance and justice. Fauzia book 'Sadako's Prayer’ published by the Asian Network of Trust in Hiroshima, in Japanese, English, Dari, , Pashto, Torwali. It is the winner of Hiroshima citizen's Award for Peace Education and was distributed free of cost among nearly 10,000 children in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Japan.

'Titli and the music of Hope' written and illustrated by her is published by the National Book Trust of under the International Center for Literacy and Culture's Peace Book Project in South Asia. Fauzia is also the winner of the Ron Kovic Peace Prize, USA in 2010.

Individual members include teachers and students from Lahore Grammar School and Basti Saidan Shah Lahore, eminent illustrators such as Rumana Hussain, Writers and story tellers including Natasha Jaffery, Nudrat Majeed, Samreen Mona, Ayesha Jabbar, Fauzia Minallah, Mah-e-Zehra etc. Another esteemed member, Rumahha Hussain (a prominent childrens writer and illustrator) developed 6 graphic books, writing its narrative, speech bubbles as well as Art Briefs for illustrators for each scene. The books were based on six eminent Pakistani personalities for young children. She participated in Children’s Literature Festival 2011 was also the ambassador of CLF in 2012.

She will been conducting a workshop in collaboration with Butterflyworks, The Netherlands, in in October 2012, for developing a series of original books for little children that have a Pakistani character to appear together with the world famous character of Miffy, the rabbit. She’ll will be working with them in both capacities, as writer and illustrator.

She is currently in Shanghai, , where she will be reading from her stories at the British International School to primary class students.

She also wrote a bilingual (English and Urdu) series of story books set in rural Pakistan, as well as another story based in urban Pakistan.

1.4.7 Describe the makeup of your membership? More specifically: who are your members? What percentage are: teachers? authors? illustrators? publishers? students? etc.

Teachers 25% Authors 30% Illustrators 20% Publishers 25%

1.4.8 What categories of membership, if any, does your NS have?

So far there are two categories for membership, i.e.

I. Individual membership

II. Organizational membership.

1.4.9 Do you make any special effort to attract young people?

IBBY Pakistan has firm belief in involving young people as an effective means of strengthening and furthering its cause. A donate a book drive has been launched, involving young people to collect books for small community and school libraries to be set up in rural areas of district . Student Book ambassadors have been appointed to successfully implement the campaign.

The First ever student reading fest held at Sheikhupura, was also managed and organized with help from young student volunteers who performed duties as the management team at various camps, involving children through different activities and sessions being held at the camps throughout the two day celebrations. IBBY Pakistan also engages young people through internship programmes and different student volunteer based programmes.

1.4.10 How often do you keep in touch with your members? How?

We mostly keep in touch with our members through email and keep them abreast of developments and IBBY’s programmes, awards/grants etc through emails.

2. FUNDING

2.1 Annual Budget

2.1.1 What is your average annual budget in US$? Is it increasing or decreasing?

The annual Budget of Alif Laila (IBBY Pakistan NS) is US$ 43,443 and it is increasing.

2.2 Sources of income

2.2.1 Is there a membership fee? How much is it? What percentage of your budget does this account for?

There are no membership fees. The fee has been exempted to encourage more and more individuals and organizations to join the IBBY Pakistan network. So far, Alif Laila has been responsible for IBBY dues. The members do not contribute towards membership dues. The membership has been kept free to create a level of interest.

2.2.2 Do you receive financial support from individual sponsors and/or donors? If so, how much? What percentage of your budget does this account for?

Alif Laila (the NS) receives funds by involving corporate firms and reading enthusiasts through different programmes such as:

• Story teller around Pakistan- with Uni Levers Pakistan (to be launched soon)

• Books Build Bridges with Asia Foundation.

• Sheikhupura Mobile Library Programme with the local business community in the district.

However, the funds are project based and vary from year to year.

2.2.3 Do you receive grants from your government? If so, how much? What percentage of your budget does this account for?

We do not receive grants from the government. 2.2.4 Do you receive grants from national institutions or other organizations? If so, how much? What percentage of your budget does this account for?

IBBY Pakistan so far has not received direct grant as funding for books is never a priority by government or donors or other organizations. But there is a shift in attitudes and therefore we can expect there will be positive change in this direction. But we do receive project based funding from different donors. Almost 40% of the budget is funded through this support.

2.2.5 Have other NS contributed any financial support? If so, how much?

No, we have not received any contribution from any National Secretariat.

2.2.6 Do you generate income through publications? If so, how much? What percentage of your budget does this account for?

Alif Laila Book Bus Society (NS IBBY Pakistan) has a range of publications; books, posters and magazines for children through which the NS generates income to meet its expenses. Almost 40-50 % of the budget is covered through the sale of publications and other educational materials developed and produced at the Alif Laila materials development wing and publication house. Almost 40 % of our budget is supported by this activity.

2.2.7 Do you have other sources of income not mentioned above? What are they and what percentage of your budget do they account for?

About 20 % of our budget is supported by consultancy services that we offer to other organizations. We also offer training to teachers and produce educational kits and materials. Posters and books have also been developed for children, and the revenue generated by the sales goes towards the organization’s regular programmes. The NS is housed at Alif Laila Book Bus Society and the organization allocates funds for IBBY activities.

2.2.8 Are the sources of income listed in points 2.2.1 to 2.2.7 regular contributions?

The sources are more or less regular sources of income. However, they do vary a little from year to year.

2.2.9 Do you receive support specifically for your IBBY dues? If so, from whom?

We do not get any financial support for our IBBY dues. We do not charge a membership fees from members, individuals as well as organizations at this point, to attract more members and make the network strong.

2.2.10 Describe successful fundraising strategies your NS has developed. Involving students to raise funds in schools and colleges and through sales of art and craft products by local women and students learning art and craft skills at Alif Laila have been one of the successful fundraising strategies.

3. THE NATIONAL SECTION´S ACTIVITIES

3.1 Main activities

3.1.1 Has your NS organized national, regional or international meetings and conferences? Which ones?

Two annual national level meeting were organized in collaboration with Foundation Open Society Institution developing a national reading strategy, and promoting children’s literature and libraries, in collaboration with Foundation Open society Institute (FOSI).

IBBY Pakistan is also planning to hold a two day national conference on setting up libraries with CBO and CSO’s, in January 2013.

A Donors’ conference on reading and libraries is also being planned.

3.1.2 Have members of your NS represented IBBY at other national, regional or international meetings and/or conferences?

Yes, our president Mrs.Syeda Basarat Kazim represented IBBY Pakistan at regional and international meetings. Romana Hussain, A children’s illustrator and member of IBBY Pakistan attended the Nami Island Festival. Ms. Fauzia Minallah of Fankoor Arts, another esteemed member of IBBY Pakistan also attended the IBBY congress in 2010.

3.1.3 Does your NS organize courses or seminars at a local level? Who are these aimed at?

In October 2011 we had a seminar with media people in a rural district of Sheikhupura on importance of reading and media’s role on promoting reading in children. Another seminar is being organized in October to highlight the importance of children’s literature and the challenges faced by the sector through collaboration with the media

The national secretariat has planned a seminar to advocate the importance of reading and its significance in strengthening literacy and other important life skills. Policy makers, along with representatives of civil society organizations, media personnel and publishers will be invited to sit together on a forum to discuss issues related to reading and the promotion of children’s literature. IBBY Pakistan is currently talking to different donors for funding the seminar. Writing workshops with students were held at Sheikhupura library in May 2012 to, more such workshops will be held in September 2012 to encourage and facilitate young writers create their stories.

3.1.4 Does your NS organize or host exhibitions and/or fairs?

The NS organized The first ever Sheikhupura Reading Fest’and book fair, first ever Children’s Literature Festival (CLF) in Lahore and National Book day celebrations in , in collaboration with different partners. CLF and CLF will be held in September and November respectively.

3.1.5 Does your NS administer awards or prizes? Does it organize contests?

The National Secretariat has planned to administer awards and competitions on the national level. The organization plans to work more closely with schools to encourage children to write their own books.

A Young writer’s competition has been planned with schools and will also be launched in October.

3.1.6 Does your NS run a library or bookstore?

Yes, the organization runs three libraries in district Lahore and a cluster school library in district Sheikhupura. A mobile library service has also been launched in district Sheikhupura that reaches out to 40-45 rural and semi urban schools in the district Sheikhupura. The NS also runs three libraries in madrassa and has set up several others, throughout the country, in partnership with different organizations.

3.1.7 Has your NS organized other activities? Which ones have been especially successful in your country? Please specify.

Books Build Bridges:

IBBY Pakistan partnered with different implementataion partners to provide portable library kits to 70 schools, affected by the floods in . The programme was based on bibliotherapy and art therapy basics. The innovative Library kits included books for children as well as art and craft materials, story boards and puppets. designed the books build brides libraries to reach out to children effected by the massive floods of 2010 and 2011.

Nearly 200 such kits have already been distributed with support of IBBY Children in Crises Fund and Give to Asia programme in collaboration with Sindh Education Foundation, Plan Pakistan, .

Children’s literature Festival:

The first ever Children’s Literature Festival was held in Lahore on 25-26th November 2011. The objective of the festival was to promote children’s literature and the love for reading by effectively engaging and involving all relevant stake holders. The CLF was organized by Foundation Open Society Institute, ITA (Idara-e-Taale’em-o-Agahi) and Oxford University Press. Acknowledging Alif Laila’s (NS) effort and great belief in shaping the destinies of children through books, imagination and innovation, the society was engaged as an important implementation partner

Activities at the Alif Laila Camp varied from art and craft activities to interactive story telling sessions, dramatic reading, daastangoi sittings, sing along sessions and theme based activities, and story book parades- all tied to the core message: READ. The theme of Alif Laila Book Bus Society was ‘thousand and one nights’, reiterated the rich literary tradition and the art of daastangoi/storytelling.

The Alif Laila Team also brought Storytellers and Children’s Literature from around the globe through the global network of “International Board on Books for Young People” (IBBY). Margriet Ruurs (famous children’s author) also conducted a story telling session with children via SKYPE. Children’s Literature was brought in from all over the world through the network of International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), for the children of Pakistan.

Sheikhupura Reading Fest:

The festival was a district level event, with children from different government A reading festival was organized in the Government Girls High School Housing Colony, Sheikhupura on February schools attending the festival and taking part in various activities being held there.

Over two thousand children attended the festival. Around 20 schools attended the event. 13 of the schools participating in the festival were girls’ school. Te planning team ensured equal participation of girls’ schools in the event and provided maximum facilitation to the schools, providing transportation so that the girls could be safely brought to the event.

Development of Core Library Book List:

The NS was part of the core team that prepared a core list of library book titles, suggested by experts for early childhood, primary, secondary and high school as well as recommended reference books for children. The list will benefit organizations and schools interested in setting up their own libraries, as well with individuals interested in setting up/donating library books.

Donate a Book Drive: A donate a book drive has been launched to collect books from private school children to be donate to public school children in Sheikhupura. The books will be provided to Primary Public schools for classroom libraries to promote reading habits in children.

Advocacy and media campaign to promote reading and literacy:

A broad based advocacy and media campaign has been launched, in the district Sheikhupura to spread awareness about the importance of reading with a definite objective to promote a strong, robust reading culture. The campaign slogan is simple yet powerful:

Parhe ga Sheikhupura, Barhe ga Sheikhupura

Sheikhupura will read, Sheikhupura will succeed

All relevant stake holders have been engaged through the campaign, including District Government Department, elected representatives, media, teachers, parents, students, business community, civil society organizations and the youth.

Story Teller Visits:

The story teller (mobile Library) visited different schools and communities around the year, bringing the library and the joy it brings, to the children. The mobile library is an exquisite service, with a comfortable reading space beautifully designed to capture the young readers’ fantasy. Story telling sessions, puppet shows and related art and craft activities are the main feature of story teller visits.

National Book Day Celebrations:

The National Book Day Celebrations were held in Islamabad on 22nd and 23rd April 2012. The objective of the festival was to promote children’s literature and the love for reading by effectively engaging and involving all relevant stake holders. The National Book Day celebrations were organized by the National Book Foundation, Foundation Open Society Institute, ITA (Idara-e-Taale’em-o-Agahi) and Alif Laila Book Bus society.

Clinton Global Initiative:

Alif Laila (the National secretariat) was also invited to rake part in the Clinton global initiative annual meeting in 2011. The organization was invited to share its commitment. Alif Lailas’ commitment was to develop and promote a reading culture in the district Sheikhupura, through its model library programme and advocacy/media campaign.

Launch Sheikhupura Reading Programme: The Sheikhupura reading programme, Living Libraries, was launched in November 2011, under which a cluster based model school library was set up in a government school in the district. Currently, four schools benefit from the same library facility. A mobile library service has also been initiated to reach out to schools in far off areas of the district. The bus service reaches out to 60 schools in a month. The programme reaches out to 10,000 children approximately. The Cluster school library is housed in the government girls high school Sheikhupura, reaching out to over 1000 young girls through holistic reading programme. The library programme works on curriculum enrichment and reading skills for strengthening literacy and comprehension skills.

Madrassa Libraries:

With support from IBBY Yamada fund, four selected madrassas were provided library materials, to promote a better undersatding of cultures and different peoples and thus promoting a more tolerant culture in madaris. Under the programme, Library materials were provided to four selected adaris. A library schedule was developed allowing children of all classes some regular time for reading as well as borrowing books from the library.

Skype sessions at the Library-connecting through books:

IBBY Pakistan has started a fun and exciting new skype sessions at the library to connect children in Pakistan to children’s writers all over the world, introducing them to new genres of writing and new stories of different regions an cultures as a means of promoting a better understanding of different cultures and peoples. The session have been extremely helpful with children getting access to a wide range of quality literature, exposure to new ideas and the opportunity to meet people form distant lands all in the same session. Different authors have volunteered for the sessions and many more have committed to take reading sessions at the library. So far Margaret Ruurs, Etta Kane, Shelley Sander, Aubrey Davis and Sheryl have taken sessions at the library.

3.2 Communication

3.2.1 Does your NS have a website? What is its URL?

The website is currently under construction.

3.2.2 Does your NS publish a regular newsletter? Who receives this? Is it available online?

A regular newsletter is not published by the NS currently. But we are adding a link to IBBY Pakistan on our website.

3.2.3 Does your NS develop lists of book selections? Which ones? Yes, the NS IBBY Pakistan has developed a core list of books recommended for school libraries; The list was developed in consultation with partner organizations Sindh Education Foundation and , with the support of Foundation Open Society Institute.

3.2.4 Does your NS work with national media to promote your own activities or the work of IBBY?

Yes, the organization frequently interacts with the media to promote activities related to children’s literature and reading. IBBY Pakistan also interacts with LERA (Lahore Education Reporters Association) and invites the association to its events and seminars.

The NS is striving to get the media involved in spreading awareness about the importance of reading as a means of strengthening literacy, critical thinking and independent learning.

3.3 Cooperation at a national level

3.3.1 Is your NS consulted about children’s books in your country? By whom?

Alif Laila is a leading organization focused on promoting reading and setting up libraries in Pakistan in this capacity it has been the primary source of when it came to consulting books available in Pakistan. But the setting up of NS in Lahore has been a game changer. The NS can contribute on a much larger scale with more depth. In this capacity NS is consulted on three levels, government, donors and private ( both organizations and individuals)

The Government of the Punjab recently consulted the national secretariat for the Punjab School Libraries Project (PSLP). We were a part of the core team and helped in the book selection process.

3.3.2 Are there NGOs or established institutions in your country for which the development of a children’s reading and publishing culture is an objective? Which ones? Are you informed of their projects and needs?

Until very recently only Alif Laila and than NS were the two entities focused on the development of a children’s reading and publishing culture. But now with the realization of links between low literacy levels and poor reading culture in primary going children has given birth to interest in promoting children’s literature. ITA among local organizations and foundation of Open Society in donor community are the two major contributors in this regard. On the government level National Book Foundation(NBF) and

3.3.3 Does your NS collaborate with these agencies?

National Book Foundation(NBF) is a state sponsored institution that promotes children’s literature and encourages young writers and illustrators as well. IBBY Pakistan has been collaborating with NBF and has also met the NBF team to help them develop strategies and effective plans for bringing children and books together.

The National book day celebrations were held in Islamabad in collaboration With NBF.

IBBY Pakistan also partnered with children’s library complex to devise a strategy to promote reading programmes and increase membership.

Book Group is another organization (private) committed to the cause of producing quality reading materials for children in the National Language. Book Group is also a member of IBBY Pakistan and works closely with the organization on campaigns and reading programmes.

ITA and Oxford University Press Pakistan have are also working to promote reading and children’s literature through festivals and events throughout the country. IBBY Pakistan is an important implementation partner in this campaign to promote a robust a strong reading culture and encourage and support quality children’s literature.

4. COOPERATION WITH IBBY

4.1 International activities in cooperation with IBBY

Congresses and General Assemblies

4.1.1 How many of your members participated in the last two IBBY Congresses and General Assemblies?

Our President, Mrs. Kazim represented IBBY Pakistan at the congress and General assemblies.

4.1.2 Does your NS participate in IBBY regional conferences? If so, which ones? If not, what are the barriers to your participation?

Yes, IBBY Pakistan has been participating in all IBBY regional conferences and meetings. However IBBY Pakistan could not attend the regional conferences held in 2010-2012.

International Children’s Book Day (ICBD)

4.1.3 What activities, if any, does your NS organize to celebrate the ICBD?

Story reading sessions, art and craft activities, poster exhibits etc are held at the NS library, engaging children from the community and from schools.

4.1.4 Did you design your own poster? If not, did you use the message and poster of the sponsoring NS? We produced a posters and flyers which sponsored both Alif Laila and IBBYPakistan individually and joinjtly.

4.1.5 How do you disseminate information about the ICBD?

We informed its partners about the ICBD through email. We also put up posters and flyers at book stores and schools to create awareness amongst the masses.

IBBY Awards and projects

4.1.6 Did your NS present any nominations for the Hans Christian Andersen Awards? If so, who were the nominees? If not, why not?

The scrutiny of nominations and the finalization of names for the awards take time and as we do not want anybody good enough to miss out we feared this year we will not be able to meet the deadline so we have postponed it for next year.

. 4.1.7 Did your NS present any nominations for the IBBY Honour List? If so, who were the nominees? If not, why not?

Nominations received this year were not up to the mark. We will be actively working on acquiring better nominations and across the country and will nominate someone in next year.

4.1.8 Did your NS nominate a project for the IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award? If so, which one?

We have not nominated anyone or any organization this year but we are planning make a nomination next year.

4.1.9 Did your section submit an application for funds from the IBBY-Yamada programme? If not, why not? If yes, what was it and was the application successful?

IBBY Pakistan had sent an application for the Yamada Fund last year to set up model libraries in madrassas and after receiving the funds we set up beautiful libraries in 4 madrassas where children did not have access to storybooks of any kind. The children were very excited to receive these books and it was an experience we would like to replicate in other madrassas. The NS did not apply for the grant this year.

4.1.10 Did you submit any titles for the Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities selection? We did not receive any notable entry during the reporting period. The category, along with many others that have been neglected by publishers and writers were discussed at the national conference on reading. Publishers and writers were encouraged to publish books on different neglected genres of literature for children.

4.1.11 Did you donate or recommend any books for the IBBY Documentation Centre of Books for Disabled Young People? If so, how many?

Not during the reporting time.

4.1.12 Did you host any IBBY travelling exhibitions (Honour List, HCA, Books for Disabled, etc.)? If so, where and when were they exhibited?

Unfortunately not at this reporting time but we are looking into it.

Bookbird and other projects

4.1.13 How many members of your NS have individual subscriptions to Bookbird?

At the moment unfortunately we do not have any individual subscriptions to Bookbird.

4.1.14 Does your NS have a Bookbird associate editor? Have you contributed any articles to, or cooperated with Bookbird?

No.

4.1.15 Have you participated in? If so, which ones?

No, we have not participated in any other IBBY international activities not listed above.

4.2 Cooperation with other National Sections

4.2.1 Are you involved in regional cooperation with other NS? What is the nature of this cooperation?

At the moment our limited funding do not allow us to be actively involved in any regional cooperation with other NS but we are working on finding effective and efficient ways on how to play a more active role in this direction.

4.2.2 Do you cooperate bilaterally with other NS? What is the nature of this cooperation? Whenever there is an opportunity for cooperation IBBY Pakistan collaborates with other NS. At the moment IBBY Pakistan is part of the organizing committee of Nami island Book Festival with IBBY Korea.

4.2.3 Do you exchange newsletters or information with other NS? If s o, how often?

We are not linked with other NS through newsletters but are we remain up-to-date and share information on our projects and activities through IBBY website and the IBBY Asian newsletter.

4.2.4 What, in your opinion, have been the major obstacles to greater cooperation between NS?

As Pakistan is one of those countries where reading is not a priority by parents, teachers or general public it is hard to raise funds on the basis of promoting reading. It is also, unfortunately, not on donors and government’s agenda as well. Combining this with extremely poor state of economy makes it very difficult to raise funds. Maintaining cooperation between NS require steady stream of funding which in a near future we do not foresee coming. We try to make the best of limited resources through making contacts with other NS when we need information or posters for our reading campaigns or brochures etc to help design our own campaigns.