Nepal is set to host its first-ever “International Children’s Literature Conference.” In a press conference held on Sunday, Bimal Nibha, the Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Academy, announced that the conference will take place on Ashoj 4 and 5 (September 20-21, 2024) at the Nepal Academy.
The international conference, titled “International Children’s Literature Conference 2024,” will feature around 25 international writers and artists specializing in children’s literature. According to Vijayraj Acharya, the member-secretary of the program committee, the conference will see participation from writers hailing from various countries including India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan, Japan, the United States, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Denmark, among others.
Pramod Pradhan, the president of Nepalese Society of Children’s Literature, stated that the conference will present and discuss two dozen papers, encompassing various dimensions of children’s literature from both domestic and international contributors. He remarked, “Due to financial and other limitations, we have not been able to organize such events in the past despite our desire to do so. However, this has now become possible through our agreement with the Nepal Academy. Through this conference, we will have the opportunity to showcase the work we have done in children’s literature to international authors and also learn about what they are writing.”
Mahesh Paudyal, a member of the program steering committee, informed that the conference will be conducted in both Nepali and English, making it convenient for both Nepali and international participants. He added, “We are in the process of receiving papers for the conference, which we plan to print and distribute. The translation of papers written by foreign authors in their native languages is also underway.”
The press release states that a 13-member organizing committee under Vice-Chancellor Nibha is working to ensure the success of the conference. The committee includes Dr. Dhanprasad Subedi, the member-secretary of the Nepal Academy; Pragya Ageeb Banepali; Pramod Pradhan, president of the Nepalese Society of Children’s Literature; General Secretary Vijayraj Acharya; former Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts K.K. Karmacharya; librarian Bhola Shrestha; Room to Read’s Ananta Wagle and Sanju Bajracharya; poet and critic Mahesh Paudyal; children’s literature writer Anuradha; and Academy staff member Rajkumar Shrestha.
The press release further mentions the different subcommittees that are actively fulfilling their responsibilities for the conference. According to the release, Vijayraj Acharya serves as the member-secretary of the committee, while Mahesh Paudyal chairs the management subcommittee, Bhola Shrestha heads the finance subcommittee, Ananta Wagle leads the publicity and publication subcommittee, and Anuradha heads the guest reception and management subcommittee.
The conference is being jointly organized by the Nepal Academy, the Nepalese Society of Children’s Literature, and Room to Read. The International Nepali Literature Society (INLS), Pahilo Paila, Thang Foundation, Shanti Volunteers, and the Asia Foundation will serve as co-organizers of the conference.
The conference will also feature a children’s literature book exhibition, storytelling sessions, children’s art exhibitions, and panel discussions.
