After 8 months of planning and building, the UN SDG Book Club African Chapter is here. It is a unique, multi-lateral project that has brought the United Nations [UN] and key institutions of the African book industry together to achieve a common and important goal: African Publishers Network [APNET], African Library and Information Associations and Institutions [AfLIA], Pan-African Writers Association [PAWA], Pan-African Booksellers Association [PABA], Association for the Development of Education in Africa [ADEA], Borders Literature for all Nations [BORDERS] and the United Nations Information Centre, [UNIC] Windhoek, Namibia.
The UN SDG Book Club
The children of today are the builders of tomorrow. The SDG Book Club aims to use a wide-range of suitable genres of books as a tool to encourage children ages 6-12 to interact with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The curated reading lists feature books from around the world in all six official UN languages—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. The books relate to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The African Chapter of the UN SDG Book Club operates in the 4 main languages of Africa: Kiswahili, French, English and Arabic. Importantly, the jury, constituted of experienced writers, editors, booksellers, publishers and librarians, will pick an honorary book in an indigenous African language for showcasing on the reading lists of books picked in the 4 main languages of the Club. Reading lists will be updated every two months to reflect the full succession of the 17 SDGs.
Amina Katagum, head girl at St Mary’s Calne is the first girl to become a member of the Borders SDG Book Club.
Amina Katagum is a 15 year old school girl based in the UK and in Abuja, Nigeria. She loves acting, theatre, reading and story writing. Amina is the first school girl member of Borders SDG Book Club and the UN SDG Book Club African Chapter.
Inauguration of the African Chapter of the UN SDG Book Club
On UNESCO World Book & Copyright Day, 23rd April 2021, at 12 noon West African Time, via Facebook Live, the organisers of the African SDG book club will unveil its website hosted by UN Namibia and unveil the first set of reading lists addressing themes of SDG 1 – No Poverty and SDG 2 – Zero Hunger.
Tune in on Facebook: @unsdgbookclubafricanchapter
Tune in on YouTube: unsdgbookclubafricanchapter
Invitations to schools, bookshops, libraries, book clubs
Over a timeline of 5 weeks – April 23rd – May 30th 2021 – all schools, book shops, libraries and book clubs across Africa are invited to join the inauguration activities by carrying out one or more activities related to SDG 1 – No Poverty and SDG 2 – Zero Hunger.
Examples of activities range from the simple to the more elaborate: dramatic sketches, poetry performances, short debates or monologues to advocate about the elimination of poverty and hunger, mime performances, dance or any other suitable and creative activity.
Enjoy the African Chapter’s promotional videos here
For more information, contact Wale Okediran, Secretary-General of Pan-African Writers Association [PAWA] at: unsdgbookclubafricanchapter@gmail.com or
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