In our modern era, we have witnessed an alarming rise in random violence, xenophobia, fundamentalism and exclusionary world-views, much of which is the result of ignorance. It is this crisis that Reading Across Borders (RAB) aims to address. RAB is, in essence, quite a simple idea: a digital library of thought-provoking, inspiring, entertaining, engaging children’s books and stories from around the world, translated from and into a variety of different languages, and made available through a web-based format that represents a paradigm shift in the way literature circulates, but which also ensures that the legal rights of author, illustrator and translator will be protected.
For far too many children in the world today, books are an unthinkable luxury. RAB’s mission is to bring great literature, at little or no cost, to children of all cultures, countries, and socioeconomic backgrounds, in the belief that when children have had the chance to read about people, places and experiences beyond their home towns they have a better chance of growing up to be adults who resolve conflicts through civilized negotiation rather than violence.
What follows is a proposal explaining why Reading Across Borders is such an essential project for our time, and how it can become a feasible, functional reality.
RAB goals
RAB project details
What needs to be redesigned in the book business today?
What needs to be redesigned in the world today?
