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No. 77, July 2013

The National Conference on Empowering Reading Culture with the theme "Reading Empowers the Nation" which was been held for the first time was jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Brunei Darussalam Library Association.

It was officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Deputy Sultan, at The Rizqun International Hotel Brunei. The conference opening ceremony was attended by foreign dignitaries, ministers, deputy minister, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, head of departments, directors, government officials, literature experts, librarians, schools principals and head masters as well as members of the public.

The two-day conference which took place on the 13 and 14 March 2013 highlights the importance of acquiring knowledge through reading and in building an educated community. The conference brought together all librarians, school principals, headmasters, teachers as well as Mukim (sub-district) and village leaders, students, libraries youth club and individuals nationwide.

< Participants in the conference >
*Provided by Ms. Keiko Harada

His Royal Highness, in his sabda, asserted that Islam is a perfect religion that is synonymous with empowering knowledge as a foundation of development of individuals. The utterance or word 'iqra' or 'read' as the first command to Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. is a clear command for the perpetuity of reading practices.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, in his welcoming address, said the conference aims to uphold His Majesty's titah (speech) on the importance of knowledge in the development of the country as well as to realize the National Vision 2035 and support the implementation of the National Education System of the 21st Century. Yang Berhormat added that the conference also aims to raise awareness on the importance of reading, to make a reading and library-friendly community culture, as well as to increase literacy-related knowledge and experience among librarians, educators, students and the public. It is also to improve the skills and professionalism in Brunei Darussalam by sharing experience and best practices with countries which have achieved excellence in the realization of reading culture in their community.
In his remarks, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat, quoted His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's titah, where His Majesty urged the citizens to be more educated and learn to think through reading. Books and other reading materials are the media used to acquire a reading culture. "Reading is one of the fundamental blocks of learning and a reading culture to enhance the quality of life within a community and nation." The minister hoped that with this year's theme centered on "Empowering Reading Culture," would assist in developing citizens who are educated, talented, critical, creative, innovative, analytical, imaginative and knowledgeable, who enable themselves as well as the nation to compete and benefit from global progress.

A keynote address was delivered by the Minister of Education, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, who spoke about titled "the Importance of Reading in Realizing the National Vision 2035." In his address, the minister outlined eight strategies which the Ministry of Education (MoE) has been tasked to achieve within a span of 10 years. The strategies include investing in early childhood education; using the best international practices in teaching and learning; providing a high standard of education at the secondary and higher education level, including vocational schools, to produce experts, professionals and technicians required in businesses and the industry; strengthening the competence of info-communication technology (ICT) for students, teachers and education administrators, including the integration of ICT into the school curriculum; developing programs that promote lifelong learning and increase access to higher education; encouraging research, development and innovation in government funded institutions and the institutions that are funded by public-private sector partnerships; using teaching methods that are cost-effective through the use of technology; and improving management of all educational institutions.

During the two-day conference, seventeen working papers have been tabled with five of them presented by speakers from five countries: Mrs. Faizah Ahmad of the National Library of Singapore, Ms. Wee Sook Yee of the National Library of Korea, Ms. Geraldine Howell Mary of the National Library of New Zealand, Ms. Paula Kelly of the National Library of Australia, Melbourne and Ms. Keiko Harada of the National Diet Library, Japan, offering Brunei a glimpse into the rise of reading cultures in developed countries.

< Ms. Howell and Ms. Harada on the stage >
*Provided by Ms. Keiko Harada

< Ms. Wee Sook Yee from National Library of Korea >

< Mrs. Faizah Ahmad from National Library of Singapore >

< Ms. Paula Kelly from National Library of Australia >

At the end of the 2013 National Conference on Empowering Reading Culture, twenty-two resolutions were formed. Each resolution covered one of three specific areas: either in improving social aspects of reading; methods on encouraging more visitors to libraries and improving their services; and areas where education can encourage reading habits.

One of those resolutions in the field of education was to admonish people to make proper consideration when reading things over the social or communicative media such as whatsApp or Facebook. The MoE was also urged to hold storytelling workshops as part of the learning process. Another resolution was to allocate times for reading either before work or before school lesson by emphasizing reading as an enjoyable activity.

On social aspect, studies are needed on reading culture and to create a collaborative network between all agencies in empowering reading in society. Other resolutions include reducing costs on delivering reading materials, and the use of technology to evaluate and integrate information in multiple formats.

For the libraries themselves, some resolutions made were to provide spaces for recreation such as zoos and other attractions that can attract young people to the libraries. In line with this resolution is to provide entertainment such as singing, drama and music that relates to reading material. A library also should be based upon the ideas of creativity, innovation, exploration and interaction.

At the end of the conference, certificate presentation for the participants took place as the closing ceremony. In total 600 participants attended the two-day conferences which include grassroots leaders from both the government and the private sector.