The ‘UAE Board on Books for Young People’ participated in ‘Middle East Film & Comic Con ( MEFCC 2016) which took place from April 7th to 9th at ‘Dubai World Trade Centre’. The participation aimed to promote ‘Books - Made in UAE’ project and ‘Read. Dream. Create’ campaign among visitors to MEFCC, the largest of its kind exhibition in the Middle East that focuses on films, cinema, television, cartoons, Manga, comics, animation, collectibles and folk art.

During the exhibition, the UAEBBY presented Books – Made in UAE project which is organised by the board in collaboration with Goethe-Institut, the German Cultural Centre - Gulf Region. The project aims to encourage Emirati authors and illustrators to develop their skills to write and illustrate high quality children’s and young adults’ books.

Visitors to the exhibition got introduced to Read, Dream, Create campaign which aims to promote and foster a reading culture among the UAE community, especially children and young adults, and develop their communication skills. It also aims to highlight creative aspects of life through reading, and encourage all parts of society to volunteer and participate in literacy events.

“We are committed to providing Emirati and Arab children and young adults with the tools that contribute to the enrichment of their growth, culturally, intellectually and artistically. Providing them with books of a high literary and artistic standard enables them to innovate and become creative. MEFCC 2016 was a great opportunity for us to meet and communicate with those who are interested in comic art and discuss how comic characters can be used in publications, books and the media,” said Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY Executive Board.

She added; “The fifth edition of Books - Made in UAE is a remarkable platform that highlights children's books in a fun and interesting way. It facilitates the development of new stories, as well as informs Emirati young people and Arabic language readers about the novelties and latest technologies used to develop books and illustrations.”

UAEBBY was allocated a special corner at MEFCC 2016 to receive requests to join the 5th edition of Books – Made in UAE project, with the initiative open to those above 20 years of age. The event will take place on Thursday, April 24 at Al Jalilah Cultural Centre for Children, Dubai. Its focus this year is on Manga comic art and its aim is to build the capacities and develop the skills of talented young Emirati authors and illustrators under the supervision of elite international experts working in the genre.

UAEBBY is the national branch of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a non-profit organisation which represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together. IBBY seeks to promote international understanding through children's books; to give children everywhere the opportunity to have access to reading material with high literary and artistic standards; to provide support and training for those involved with children and children's literature; to stimulate research and scholarly works in the field of children's literature and to protect and uphold the right of the child to a general education that includes direct access to information.