Uganda Children Writers and Illustrators Association (UCWIA)
The Uganda Children Writers and Illustrators Association (UCWIA) is an association of writers and illustrators of children’s books, registered as non-governmental organisation in Uganda. The association is open to all people who are interested and are actively engaged in creating books and illustrations for African children that promote African experience and portray it positively. It encourages training and information sharing to improve the quality of material published and promotes literacy and indigenous culture in books.
Communication Strategies
The mission of the UCWIA is “ to bring together writers and illustrators of children’s’ books and encourage them to write and illustrate suitable reading materials with an African touch.”
UCWIA’s activities include:
UCWIA’s activities include:
- Identifying themes suitable for childrens’ books.
- Writing books with an African background.
- Illustrating books using African images to give them an African touch.
- Editing writings and illustrations submitted for publication.
- Pre testing materials on children in order to determine age-groups and levels for which materials are suited.
- Printing and publishing selected, relevant materials.
- Setting up reading groups
- Organising talks, workshops and seminars, geared towards improving skills in the production of reading and /or information materials for children.
- Actively participating in exhibitions, reading tents and other activities geared towards promotion of books and reading especially among children and young people.
Development Issues
Children
Key Points
The objectives of UCWIA are to:
- To write design and illustrate children’s reading materials suited to the needs of the Ugandan child and to produce them in suitable formats.
- To provide a positive portrayal of the African child in the media.
- To promote the development and preservation of indigenous culture through literature
- To contribute towards formation of a people who turn to books for their entertainment, information and lifelong education; to facilitate informed decision making and accelerate development.
- To produce reading materials that can be read by children in other parts of the world and thereby enable the fostering of intercultural exchange of ideas and mutual understanding, co-operation and development.
Partners
The Uganda Publishers Association (UPA), The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), National Book Trust of Uganda (NABOTU)
Sources
E. Barongo sent an e-mail to Soul Beat Africa on October 19 2004.
Comments
QUITE ENCOURAGING
Didn't know that such an organization exists,this is very encouraging most especially becoz mr paul lubowa is my lecturer and i am also aiming at doing better illustrations courtesy of him to promote the habit of reading among the young folk.thanks.atukwasize chrisogon,makerere university
- Log in to post comments