International Board on Books for Young People International Conference to Be Held at Suwon Convention Center

Baek Heena, Lee Suzy, and Other Picture Book Authors to Attend

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on August 29 that, together with the Korean Board on Books for Young People (KBBY), it will host the "2025 International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Asia-Pacific International Conference" at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi Province from August 30 to 31. This marks the first official IBBY international event to be held in Korea, with 339 participants from 20 countries across Asia-Pacific and beyond.

IBBY is an international organization established in 1953, composed of 84 member countries worldwide. It is dedicated to the study and promotion of children's literature, the distribution of children's books in developing countries, and the protection of reading rights. IBBY also administers the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award for children's literature.

This year's event, themed "Living in Harmony with Our Planet," will bring together writers, librarians, publishers, researchers, and readers from 20 countries. They will share their experiences and visions on how children's and young adult literature can address environmental protection, sustainability, and the value of coexistence.

Globally renowned masters of children's literature will share the latest examples of creative work and research achievements through keynote speeches, breakout sessions, and author dialogues. Korean participants include Baek Heena (winner of the 2020 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award), Lee Suzy (winner of the 2022 Hans Christian Andersen Award), Kim Dongsu (nominee for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award), Lee Geumi (finalist for the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award), Lee Sangkwon, and Lee Gihun. International guests include Lera Sagisak (professor of children's literature at New York University, USA/Philippines), Jeannie Baker (environmental picture book author, Australia), Sydney Smith (winner of the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award, Canada), and Hiroshi Abe (nominee for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award, Japan).

These participants will explore the role of children's and young adult books in the era of climate crisis and propose practical measures to foster environmental awareness through publishing, education, and local communities. The first day will feature a performance by author Lee Suzy and the ensemble "Solsol," followed by keynote speeches from Professor Lera Sagisak, Jeannie Baker, Sydney Smith, and Hiroshi Abe, as well as a dialogue among authors Lee Gihun, Kim Dongsu, and Lee Sangkwon. On the second day, there will be a reading by author Lee Geumi, a keynote speech by Hiroshi Abe, a creative workshop by Jeannie Baker, and a special dialogue between Sydney Smith and Baek Heena. Additionally, during the event, attendees will have the opportunity to explore 440 children's and young adult books from Korea and abroad, including titles selected for the IBBY Honour List.

Lim Sunghwan, Director-General of the Media Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "Through this event, we hope to deeply discuss the values of the environment and coexistence through publishing, and to further strengthen the exchange and cooperation of children's and young adult books between Korea and Asia-Pacific countries." He added, "The Ministry will continue to provide unwavering support for the overseas expansion and international exchange of children's and young adult books."