A global campaign to promote reading among youth was launched in Rabat on Saturday as part of the city’s 2026 World Book Capital program, with UNESCO backing efforts to address literacy gaps and support young writers.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, UNESCO goodwill ambassador for education and culture, announced the “Reading for the Future” campaign, aimed at strengthening reading skills among children and young people and reinforcing the role of books in building knowledge-based societies.
“Investing in reading is investing in people and their ability to shape the future,” she said during the launch event attended by Moroccan Culture Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and UNESCO regional officials.
The initiative comes amid global concerns over literacy, with UNESCO estimates showing around 244 million children out of school and nearly 70% of children in low-income countries unable to read a simple text by age 10.
A parallel initiative, “Voices of Young World Book Capitals,” was also introduced to support emerging writers aged 18 to 30, offering international exposure and publication opportunities.
UNESCO officials said the programs aim to link education, creativity and cultural policy, while supporting the UN’s sustainable development goal on quality education.
Rabat’s designation as World Book Capital for 2026 positions Morocco as a hub for global cultural initiatives, with the campaign expected to bring together institutions, publishers and policymakers to expand access to reading and literacy.
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