In a joint collaboration, The Asia Foundation and UNESCO Dhaka Office held the virtual Launching Event  and panel discussion for Children Books on Traditional Games on Wednesday (15 December).

The event is part of the celebration of Bangladesh’s National Day marking 50 years of the Independence and the celebrations of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman supported by UNESCO at it’s 40th General Conference.

The Asia Foundation in Bangladesh and UNESCO Dhaka Office joined forces to produce and disseminate books and reading materials focused on cultural heritage of Bangladesh, and to promote reading among children and youth of Bangladesh.

As an outcome of this partnership, 11 books were prepared in an age appropriate manner on the Traditional Games of Bangladesh under the theme of ‘’Let’s Read about Heritage’’. 

The contents was developed by reputed children book writers and illustrators under the overall guidance of the Asia Foundation and UNESCO Dhaka Office, presenting traditional games of Bangladesh for children as an expression of cultural identity and living heritage of Bangladesh. The books were approved and highly appreciated by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) and the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO (BNCU).

The e-book versions of the 11 books for Children on Traditional Games are publicly available free of charge on the Asia Foundation's Let's Read's Digital library:

Children, Parents, Students, Teachers and Caregivers can download the books free of charge to their smartphones, tablets, or other digital devices. Thus enabling their children to learn at and from home, and giving them a chance to learn the expression of cultural identity and living heritage of Bangladesh. 

The launching event and panel discussion of these children books on Traditional Games highlighted the importance, challenges and opportunities of the creation of books and strengthening reading habits for children in Bangladesh.

Mr. Md. Shohel Imam Khan, Deputy Secretary General, Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO joined the discussion as a special guest and delivered his opening remarks. 

Prof.  Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Founder and Chairperson of  Bishwa Sahitya Kendra (World Literary Centre), Educator, Writer, Television Presenter and Activist, Ms. Sara Zaker, Actor,Director And Co producer of Sisimpur, Prof. A K M Reazul Hassan, PhD, Member, Primary Curriculum, National Curriculum and Textbook Board Bangladesh, Ms. Beatrice Kaldun, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, Mr. Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj, Country Representative Bangladesh, The Asia Foundation joined the panel discussion and shared their experience and reflection on the significance of book creation and enhancing the reading habit for children. 

The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Kizzy Tahnin, Programme Officer for Culture, UNESCO Dhaka Office. 

The programme was conducted online via Zoom and was live-streamed through the Facebook page of UNESCO Dhaka Office and Asia Foundation’s Let’s Read.