Magrudy's launches 'Tell us about your favourite book' competition to celebrate International Literacy Day

Notes and media contacts

About International Literacy Day
September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Celebrations take place around the world. Some 776m adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women; 75m children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out. According to UNESCO's "Global Monitoring Report on Education for All (2008)" South and West Asia has the lowest regional adult literacy rate (58.6%), followed by sub-Saharan Africa (59.7%), and the Arab States (62.7%). Countries with the lowest literacy rates in the world are Burkina Faso (12.8%), Niger (14.4%) and Mali (19%). The report shows a clear connection between illiteracy and countries in severe poverty, and between illiteracy and prejudice against women.

About Magrudy Enterprises LLC
Magrudy Enterprises is the leading retailer and distributors of books, toys, stationary and arts and crafts materials in the UAE. Established in 1975, the family-owned business now operates a total of 8 shops (6 in Dubai, 1 in Abu Dhabi and 1 in Al Ain), employing more than 300 people. Magrudy's is actively engaged in discussions with local partners across the Middle East and Africa region to develop new Magrudy's franchises.

Magrudy's operates a wholesale business supplying a wide range of businesses including Dubai Duty Free, Toys R Us and Spinneys supermarkets. In 2002, Magrudy's set up Magrudy's Educational Resource Centre (MERC) to meet the needs of the UAE's educational community.

Magrudy's is active in encouraging reading among Emirati nationals and expatriate residents, setting up book clubs for adults and children, inviting authors for book-signings and workshops and working closely with local schools and charities to promote reading as a path to knowledge. Magrudy's has strong environment credentials and was one of the first retailers in the UAE to introduce jute carrier bags. The company is also associated with the "Plant a Million Trees Campaign" in the UAE.

Magrudy's was the official bookshop behind the highly successful 2009 Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature.

For more information, please contact:

Gillian Bourke
PR & Communications Manager
Magrudy Enterprises LLC
P.O. Box 1155 Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 (04) 344 4192
Fax: +971 (04) 344 4954

Or
Mia Santiago
Marketing Manager¬
Magrudy Enterprises LLC
P.O. Box 1155 Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 (04) 344 4192
Fax: +971 (04) 344 1723