2 ABD 2000 Vol. 31 No. 1

From the Editor-in-ChiefAsian/Pacific Book Development (ABD)is published quarterly by the Asia/PacificCultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU),Tokyo, with the cooperation of UNESCOand UNESCO Member States in Asiaand the Pacific. ABD serves as anewsletter for UNESCO’s networkingprogramme, Asia-Pacific CooperativeProgramme in Reading Promotion andBook Development (APPREB), for whichACCU is the regional coordinatingagency. News articles in the Asian/PacificPublishing Scenes of ABD (pp13-21) arecontributed by the national correspon-dents of 23 countries in Asia and thePacific. Articles and photos without indicationof copyright (© followed by owner’sname) may be reprinted for educationaland non-commercial purposes providedthat they be accompanied by a creditline “Reprinted from Asian/Pacific BookDevelopment, published by Asia/PacificCultural Centre for UNESCO” includingauthor’s name and volume/number.Three voucher copies should be sent tothe Editor-in-Chief. Opinions expressed in signed articlesand news of the correspondents arethose of the authors and do not neces-sarily represent the opinions of ACCU orthose of the Editorial Committee of ABD.

Editorial Committee MembersAmadio A. Arboleda Josai International UniversityShonosuke Kanehira Otuma Women’s CollegeTakashi Kasahara Kodansha Ltd.Akiko Kurita Japan Foreign-Rights CentreKanji Maeda Sanshusha Publishing Co., Ltd.Gow Michiyoshi Design DirectorShigeshi Sasaki Publishing ConsultantMasaaki Shindoh Shogakukan Inc.Muneharu Kusaba ACCU

Editor-in-ChiefMuneharu KusabaDirector-General, ACCUEditorial OfficeBook Development and LiteracyDevelopment, ACCU

DesignGow MichiyoshiKazuyo Nakamura

Published in co-operation with UNESCO

All correspondence shouldbe addressed to:The Editor-in-Chief, ABDAsia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO(ACCU)6, Fukuromachi, Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo 162-8484, Japanphone: (81) 3 3269 4445, 4435fax: (81) 3 3269 4510e-mail: book@accu.or.jphttp://www.accu.or.jp

©Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre forUNESCO, Tokyo, August 2000Printed in Japan byKyodo Printing Co., Ltd.

List of Correspondents (23 countries)

Australia—Kevin MarkFreelance Editor and Writer, 8 Autumn Street,Belmont 3216

Bangladesh—Gholam MoyenuddinDirector, Bangla Academy, Dhaka 1000

Bhutan—Rinzin WangmoYouth Information Officer, Youth Guidance &Counseling Division, Education Department, Ministryof Health & Education, Thimphu

Cambodia—Mok PhoeurnOfficer of Complementary Office, Non-FormalEducation Department, Ministry of Education, Youthand Sports, No. 169, Preah Norodom Blvd., PhnomPenh

China—Wu XushengDirector, Theory Department, Press and PublishingJournal, 17 Bei Da Jie, Fucheng Men, Beijing

Fiji and the South Pacific—Linda S. CrowlPublications Fellow, Institute of Pacific Studies,University of the South Pacific, PO Box 1168, Suva

India—P.K. AroraExecutive Director, Federation of Indian Publishers,18/1-C, Institutional Area (Near JNU), Aruna Asaf AllMarg, New Delhi 110067

Indonesia—Alfons TaryadiChairman, Advisory Board, Indonesian BookPublishers Association (IKAPI), Jl. Kalipasir 32,Jakarta 10330

Iran—Mansoor KadivarDirector, International Affairs Department, Institutefor Intellectual Development of Children & YoungAdults, Hejab Ave., Laleh Park, Tehran

Japan—Yoshiaki KiyotaPresident, Shuppan News Co., Ltd., 2-40-7 Jimbocho,Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051

Laos—Soubanh LuangrathDirector of Children’s Cultural Centre, Ministry ofInformation and Culture, PO Box 6244, Vientiane

Malaysia—Sidin Ahmad IshakHead of Department, University of Malaya Press,50603 Kuala Lumpur

Maldives—Abdul Raiheem HasanDeputy Director, Non Formal Education Centre,Salaahudhdheen Building, Ameenee Magu, Male

Mongolia—Jambyn DashdondogDirector General, Mongolian Children’s CulturalFoundation, PO Box 2106 46/46, Ulaanbaatar

Nepal—Gokul Prasad PokhrelChairman, Nepal Press Institute, The Media House,Tripureshwer, PO Box 4128, Kathmandu

New Zealand—Jane WestawayWriter, 191 Wilton Rd., Wilton, Wellington

Pakistan—Ahmad FarazManaging Director, National Book Foundation, 6Mauve Area, G-8/4, Taleemi Chowk, Islamabad

Papua New Guinea—Stephan B. WaineFestival Officer, National Cultural Commission, POBox 7144, Boroko, NCD

Philippines—Neni Sta. Romana-CruzTeacher, Writer, Philippine Board on Books forYoung People, International School Manila, Box1526, MPO 1255, Makati City, Manila

Rep. of Korea—Jong-Jin JungSecretary General, Korean Publishers Association,105-2, Sagan-Dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul

Singapore—R. RamachandranChairman, National Book Development Council ofSingapore, c/o National Library Board, 1 TemasekAvenue #06-00, Millenia Tower, Singapore 039192

Sri Lanka—Deepali TalagalaDirector, National Science Foundation, 47/5,Mailtland Place, Colombo 7

Thailand—Chintana BhaigasuyeeDirector, Book Translation Institute, Department ofInstruction and Curriculum Development, Ministryof Education, Bangkok 10300

To mark the year of Education for All2000, this issue of ABD focuses on theassesment of the last decade, discussingthe diversity and complexity of thisprimary concern, as well as challengesahead. Because of its critical relationshipwith social and economic development,promotion of literacy activities requiresthe overall cooperation of all those in thefields of politics, socio-economics,culture and rural development.

One of the issues in coping with thechallenge is the diversity in culture andlanguage in Asia and the Pacific region,which requires further efforts to providebasic education for all. However, acquir-ing literacy is not only a means to gaineconomic and social stability. Anotherimportant thing is that it can become aneffective tool for human developmentand to nurture dignity in one’s self. It isthus essential that literacy education beconducted with due respect to indige-nous languages and cultures, which willbring highly efficient results on the sideof the learners. In this respect, experts inculture, language and publishing inrespective countries can make a signifi-cant contribution in bringing out attrac-tive materials to cater to the needy intheir own countries.

ACCU should like to further its literacypromotion activities in Asia and thePacific, co-operating with various sectorsand fields in the region, through network, Munehraru Kusaba

material production and training ofpersonnel. ACCU’s long experience inbook development can also play a part inpromoting sustainable literacy in theregion by providing children with readingmaterials that are truly needed and whichdraw their interests. As these pro-grammes are all conducted in closecollaboration with the Member States inthe region, we should like to havecontinued assistance and support ineffectively promoting our programmes.

Lastly, beginning from its 31st volume,main features of ABD magazine will beavailable online as part of the APPREBwebsite. By sharing knowledge andinformation and co-operating mutuallyvia the site, APPREB will further bringtogether those working in book develop-ment and reading promotion, and willcontribute to achieving our ultimate goalof reaching out to the most needy.Although information technology is notyet a common practice by many in theregion, I believe the utilization of currentadvanced technology will be of greathelp in strengthening our activities.