Statements
Statement on the Escalation of War in the Middle-East
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is deeply distressed at the escalation of violence in the Middle East, and the threat of it spreading wider.
As in all wars and armed conflicts, children suffer the most. Thousands of them are killed or maimed. And those who remain, lose not only their families, friends, homes, schools and libraries, but often hope as well.
As IBBY Lebanon President Shereen Kreidieh reports, children and women are among the killed, with thousands—often entire families— crowding into vehicles packed with belongings to flee the south of Lebanon to Beirut.
The future of the world is closely knitted to the mental well-being of those who will inherit it. How much longer will children be traumatized and punished? And what will their behaviour be when they take charge?
At IBBY, we stand with and for children. With 85 Sections worldwide, and our mission to bring books and children together, we raise our strong voice for an immediate de-escalation, and talks for peace. As EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated on 23 September: “Everybody has to put all their capacity to stop this”.
The International Board on Books for Young People
Executive Committee
25 September 2024
Statement on the ongoing violations of children’s rights in Gaza
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) stands by the principles endorsed in the United Nations Human Rights Conventions, especially the Convention on the Rights of the Child and urges all global leaders to work together on behalf of the children of Gaza.
IBBY was born in the aftermath of World War II with the unflinching belief that international understanding is a necessary condition for tolerance and world peace. By promoting quality children’s books and reading, it has contributed to making the ideals of solidarity, respect, and cooperation known to children and young people all around the world.
IBBY has helped build and grow libraries and reading programmes for children worldwide, including in Beit Hanoun and Rafah in Palestine. Established in 2008, these were safe places filled with more than five thousand books where children could read, share thoughts, write poems, meet authors, and even win awards – such as the UNESCO "World Tales" competition won by a young member of the al-Shawka library in Rafah in 2021. Those libraries have now been destroyed, but the loss of these cultural and childhood touchstones is only a small part of the tragedy in Palestine. As we watch the continuing violence and destruction in Gaza, we mourn for the children and families who are killed, injured, displaced, and orphaned. We deplore the chaos and confusion that dominates their daily lives, and the lack of basic human necessities of food, water, shelter, and medical aid.
Every child in the world deserves to be protected and nurtured. We condemn the ongoing violations of children’s basic rights in Gaza. IBBY adds its voice to the urgent calls for access to humanitarian aid and life-saving supplies for the people of Gaza. Further, we strongly urge the leaders of Israel and Hamas to comply with the international rulings and resolutions to enact an immediate ceasefire.
The International Board on Books for Young People
Executive Committee
17 June 2024