Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:30:54 +0100 (BST)
From: Puna Das
Message from Mr Ko�chiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO,
on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day
23 April 2008
Since 23 April 1996, World Book and Copyright Day has brought together
millions of people in more than 100 countries in both the South and North
in the solemn celebration of the many functions of the book in the life of
human society. It has also invited them to reflect on the place of
copyright in connection with books.
In 2008, this event offers a new opportunity for political
decision-makers, economic agents and those active in civil society to give
pride of place, each in their own field, to this unique instrument of
culture, education, participation, communication and entertainment � the
book.
Books contribute to shaping and maintaining the educational, cultural
and economic fabric of our societies, and play multiple and fundamental
roles in it.
These works of the mind protected by copyright, which enrich the
intangible heritage of humanity, are also merchandise, a duality that has
been highlighted and analysed on many occasions. Books are thus the pivot
in a vast chain of incomegenerating activities and professions, and an
important component of economic development.
The proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly of 2008 as
International Year of Languages invites us moreover to reconsider another
dimension of books which complements those mentioned above: the linguistic
dimension of publishing.
Books are in fact a means of expression which live through language and
in language. Every book is written, produced, exchanged, used and
appreciated in a specific linguistic framework. When selecting their
language, authors are also selecting their readers, who should be able to
understand what they write. Translation helps to build linguistic bridges
leading to new books and new readers.
When a language has no access to the world of publishing, it is excluded
� together with those who speak it � from a significant part of the
intellectual life and economic activity of society. Hence the importance
of developing multilingualism through translation.
At a time when the proclamation of International Year of Languages has
brought the matter of languages and multilingualism to the top of the
international agenda, it is more essential than ever to reflect on the
future of books as vehicles for expression and linguistic recognition.
In this context, it is then a matter of urgency to give languages
broader access to publishing, so as to promote the exchange of books and
editorial content, and thus �the free flow of ideas by word and image�
enshrined in the Constitution of UNESCO.
On this thirteenth World Book and Copyright Day, I solemnly call upon
all the Member States, partners and friends of UNESCO to join us in
reflection and action to ensure that the place of books and reading
receives full recognition for the benefit of a world that can claim to be
genuinely multilingual, even in practice.
Source: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001571/157181e.pdf ;
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=42278&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
See Also:
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=26397&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
Anup Kumar Das
New Delhi, India
