Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation meets Italian Publishers Association

Boasting 400 members, the Italian Publishers Association is a trade body overseeing almost 90% of all works published in Italian. It particularly aims to support Italian publishers in an endeavour to create an information society and promote initiatives for highlighting the importance of books and reading.

Leading the Foundation delegation, Yasser Hareb, Vice-President - Culture at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, and Jamal Al Shehhi, CEO of Dubai International Children's Book Fair, briefed Christina Musinelli, Chancellor of the Italian Publishers' Association, on the Foundation's key achievements and multi-pronged objectives towards shaping a well-informed generation of thought leaders in the Arab world.

Discussions between the Foundation and AIE also focused on developing and strengthening avenues of cooperation with the Italian publishers. The Foundation invited members of the Association to participate in the Dubai International Children's Book Fair the Foundation is organizing in February 2010.

The Bologna Children's Book Fair, which runs from 23-26 March, has brought together more than 70 countries and over 5,000 participants including publishers, literary establishments, printing companies, and licensing agencies, in addition to companies related to the publishing industry.

The Foundation is marking an emphatic presence in its debut participation at the international fair through showcasing its initiatives and programmes. It also comes as part of its promotional activities for globally raising awareness on the Dubai International Children's Book Fair among key industry stakeholders, as well as authors and publishers of children's books.