THE NATIONAL Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA), an organization composed of over 100 reading advocacy groups, educators, and change-makers across the Philippines, will hold its first conference at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

The inaugural NARA Conference, themed ”Pamitinan ng Lingkod-Mambabasa”, is convened by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) to address the challenges and explore solutions to the country’s reading crisis.

The conference theme, inspired by the limestone cave found in the foothills of the majestic Sierra Madre Mountain range, symbolizes hope for sparking a nationwide movement for reading.

“We have gathered reading advocates from across the nation for a very important reason: We want them to talk and cooperate with each other. Our nation’s readership problem is multifaceted, which means it cannot be addressed by a single entity or the government alone. As the secretariat of the NARA, we will exhaust all means to advance Philippine readership through collaboration and innovation,” said NBDB Readership Development Division Chief Daniel Mariano.

The conference will focus on the State of the Reading Nation, showcasing innovative literacy programs, and offering networking opportunities. The alliance will also ratify and declare the NARA Agenda, a cornerstone document outlining the areas and goals that will address the nation’s reading crisis.

” This is a groundbreaking move in advocating for our national readership. In a historic plenary of reading stewards, practical solutions and innovative strategies to advance the nation’s reading culture will take center stage. We look forward to seeing participants engage in discussions, workshops, and presentations centered on holistic approaches to readership development,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.