Reading Worldwide

Even though national initiatives for the promotion of reading have almost become a worldwide standard, knowledge about literacy projects and related experiences across borders is scarce. However, reading promotion comes in many creative and unique ways, such as books hidden in taxis and at the hairdressers’ in Singapore, book prescriptions recommended by medical professionals in Kirklee or speed datings for book lovers in London.

This is where Reading worldwide comes in. It helps to think outside the box and gain new insights by looking at how reading promotion is done in different parts in the world. This website introduces innovative literacy initiatives from Austria to Venezuela in the hope to generate new project ideas that may be adapted locally – or to foster international collaborations. Instead of trying to be comprehensive and encyclopedic, Reading worldwide rather highlights successful or inspiring projects. Also, literacy experts share their views and experiences with the reading promotion community.

Literacy professionals may find some more stuff of interest. Current literacy events worldwide are listed on a dedicated webpage. The research section looks at findings from current or recent literacy and reading research. And the newly introduced topic pages summarize current literacy issues such as “New media“ or “Early literacy“ with related links and resources.

The portal Reading worldwide was created by the German Institute for International Educational Research (DIPF) in cooperation with the Stiftung Lesen (German’s leading non-profit foundation on reading and media). The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) from 2008 to 2012. Stiftung Lesen has taken over Reading worldwide since May 2012 solely.