Childrens Literature Festival and Teachers Literature Festival a

“Children's Literature Festival and Teachers' Literature Festival - a social movement for learning, feeling & healing” www. childrensliteraturefestival. com Baela Raza Jamil & Maham Ali March 09, 2016 - 8: 00 -9: 30 a. m. Venue: –Junior Ballroom C - Sheraton Hotel – Vancouver

Presentation Outline Ø What is the Children’s Literature Festival Ø SDGs Landscape – the space for CLFs Ø What is a typical CLF - a visual rich journey imagining the unimagined Ø Children’s poetry and writing Ø Book Launches by Children at CLF Ø Evidence of impact Ø Testimonials Ø Institutionaliizing the CLF -TLF Ø Next miles for CLF: Programmatic –publications & institutional Ø Please join this movement! Make it your own. .

What is the Children’s Literature Festival(CLF)? • a counter narrative to low learning indicators in a country associated with conflict, displacement, personal-collective pain and lack of security • a social movement for reclaiming rich learning resources & heritage within • a platform to feel with all senses celebrating multiple intelligences, an organic learning –”feeling” space • an EQUALIZER for ALL Children, Teachers & Parents in a highly unequal society- promoting reading with imagination, critical thinking and creativity without fear of exams – tests – all are winners! • a platform for content development influencing curriculum & textbooks SHOWCASING OUR LOCAL- NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITIES- AUTHORS-POETS-ARTISTS-ACTORS-MUSICIANSMEDIA & ACADEMIC EXPERTS- PARLIAMENTARIANS

Context: Decades of Violence & Conflict Disruptions & Stress Even prior to 9/11) Pakistan experienced escalation of violence in frequency, scope, and magnitude- the intensity varies across regions and cities. Violence along the Afghan border in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan Violence spanning ethnic/religious/linguistic/political communities Violence due to nexus between sectarian militants, terrorist outfi� ts and political parties. Violence in cities- Peshawar-Pindi-Islamabad- Lahore- Quetta- Karachi – In Karachi mega city protracted violence and tenfold increase 2006 -2013 (USIP-2014) In Balochistan violence is unprecedented; sectarian communal political self determination Violence in schools/universities: Malala Swat -APS Peshawar- Mardan- Quetta. A complex security landscape with new vocabularies – culture of silence in schools and homes – Urgent need to engage & shape peace-building processes in multiple spaces

SDG 4 2030 Landscape & CLF as a social movement • Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’ • Target 4. 7. • By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and nonviolence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

Framework for Action Target 4. 7 In a globalized world with unresolved social, political, economic and environmental challenges, education that helps building peaceful and sustainable societies is essential. Education systems seldom fully integrate such transformative approaches Vital to give a central place in Education 2030 to strengthening education’s contribution to the fulfilment of human rights, peace and responsible citizenship … The content of such education must be relevant, with a focus on both cognitive and noncognitive aspects of learning. The knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required by citizens to lead productive lives, make informed decisions and assume active roles locally and globally in facing and resolving global challenges can be acquired through ESD & global citizenship education (GCED), which includes peace and human rights education as well as intercultural education and education for international understanding

What is a typical CLF - a visual rich journey imagining the unimagined Founder Baela Raza Jamil-ITA –CLF Cofounder Ameena Saiyid OUP

The CLF Journey-its nuts and bolts & roll out Overwhelming Response • Think Big w. OSF • CLFs crafted at • Provincial & National – 2011 -2013 -2016 • • • CLF contd. . 2 days 1 day Teachers Lit Festivals 1 day Districts –& School Based Publications CLF regd. as (NFP) Company • Innovations cont. . • Social Movement mode • Alliances local and global • Resources for CLFs 2016 -2020 Numbers dazzled us ! The first CLF a huge learning experience. . Expected 2000 -3000 but 22, 000 + came for the first one Then there was no looking back 23 CLFs attended by 500, 000. . ! We plan for public good – in welcoming spaces with multiple strands In a Public Private Partnerships mode with govt. industry, embassies, donors CSOs

14 Concurrent Strands of CLF …. choose what you may. . Workshops on How Reclaiming to Illustrate a Book, Heritage & Creative Writing & Diversity Expression Book Fair & Learning Stalls of NGOs/Govt. Partners Read & Sing Aloud Stories and Songs Digital Stories – ICTs; Workshops on Comics Production Theatre and Skits & Music Concerts Plenary Sessions Bol Key Lab Azaad Mother tongue Hain Terey. Speak for your lips are free Textbooks & Open Mic Expression for curriculum; Peace & Children in Prose & Poetry – Critical Thinking – ECE any language RTE Active Citizenship Charter of Compassion Multi-experience stalls Book Launches Mural & Art Sessions Children’s Films Science & Creative Inquiry Puppet shows and Comics Typical Large CLF’s Sessions and Activities. Selection of 6 strands in a TLF workshop mode 300 Resoruce Persons and CLF Ambassadors Young & old

Transformative CLF Spaces Renaming Spaces at CLFs • Koh-e-Simorgh Strands matched to spaces • Large Auditoriums/greens for – Mountain of the mythical sufi bird theatre and expression • Qisa Tilsm –Hoshruba • Story reading spaces th the world's first magical fantasy epic (14 C) • Critical narratives & plenaries • Manto Ki Gali • Poetry –and prose – children or – 20 th century short story writer famous authors • Bhittai Library /Bulleh Shah Rm. • Experimenting with songs & – 17 th century Sufi poets reading • Faiz ahmed Faiz room /Bol Kay Lab Azad Hain Teray • Digital literacy th • Amir Khushro: 14 C Renaissance man • Science as creative enquiry • Arfa Kareem Room –hero for ICTs who died v. young

CLF Signature Posters By Famous Artists

The Amazing Qabeela Of Generous Resource Persons Of CLF & TLF 300 + And growing

CLF Images They come with smiles and leave with laughter & resolve

CLF Lahore 2014

Children Performing

Rukhsana Khan Famous Children’s Canadian Author Stories with Expression Feb 2016

Reciting her poetry

Working on New Learning – I can and I will ! All eyes and ears !

The amazing resource persons – Authors Publishers- Musicians- & Story Tellers- a tribe that is multiplying over 300 resource persons now with

Experimenting with creative science – Lala Rukh and the Science Fuse sessions 2016

Text / Caption

Artist Abro Khuda Baksh making murals for CLF Karachi of Greenery or Houses Multiplying without water - make your choices

The Amazing budding Poets in a Children’s Mushaira (Poetry session) 2016 Feb

Actor Sania Saeed mesmerizing children and teachers 2016 Feb

I am creating my own books author- title- publisher and price! A continuous strand of CLFs

Toffee TV Crew another CLF Ambassador

Story telling with participation

And then there was Zoe Viccagi in concert

The Volunteers- Senior Minister Education & Secretary Sindh Feb 2016

CLF Publications q q CLF Publications promote diversity, learning with fun, respect for languages, mother tongue, giving every child identity & respect for a multi-lingual society –where learning means happiness and thinking Ø Bi- monthly magazine Uran Tashtaree (The Flying Saucer) 12 editions so far –bi-multi-lingual 5 -17 years q Laila aur Munni Gurya (Age group: 4 to 8 years) was launched in CLF Karachi & CLF Islamabad 2014 q Tota Khan aur Bakri Ara ka safar nama (Age group: 10 to 12 years) was launchedat CLF Karachi 2015 q Bholi Bisri , Suni sunai (Age group: 12 to 15 years) was launched at CLF Islamabad 2015 Amai’s Mohenjo Daro Adventure was launched in CLF Islamabad 2015

Evidence of Impact TESTIMONIALS

Learning Levels Children enrolled in private schools are performing better than they are private sector counterpart.

Reading Levels ASER 2014 findings highlight considerable diminishing trend in percentage of children from Class 3 -6 who can read a simple story in Urdu or Sindhi.

Presence of Libraries in Schools indicated by School Administration and Students As shown in the figure, around 75% of these public and low-cost private schools don’t have libraries.

CLF Sessions Attended by Teachers and Students Above figure shows that most of the participants (around 73%) including both students and teachers attended 6 -7 sessions during CLF

Activities Implemented and Change in Teaching Style 100% of the teachers responded that they have implemented activities or certain aspects of engaging techniques in their classrooms.

Categories implemented according to teachers and students According to the findings, the most implemented activity is creative arts (53% to 59%) and the least implemented is creative writing (13% to 24%) with reading (23% to 28%) occupying the middle place… LOTS MORE WORK TO DO!

Testimonials I can honestly say that the CLF is the most inspiring and innovative education events I have ever attended. It was a masterpiece, and something that I think about often. Ian Macpherson · Education Specialist Global Partnership for Education CLF is truly an amazing platform not just boosting children's confidence but also breaking barriers between the private and public schools. It was lovely interacting with each and everyone at the CLF/TLF. Thank you. Best Regards Ms. Huma Thaver Principal Dawood Public School On behalf of USAID Sindh Reading Program, I'd like to congratulate you on pulling off a stellar event. -Munazza Siddiqui Thank you for providing a platform to the children of Karachi; allowing them to engage with the literary world, whilst imbibing values from the esteemed artists, writers and officials present. May the halls of CLF always be packed and your speakers list always full! You managed to pull of an amazing event which was truly appreciated by juniors and seniors alike. SOCFilms and Team 3 Bahadur are thankful to have been part of such a rewarding experience. We look forward to hearing from you for future events. Sualeha Qureshi, Associate Producer at SOC Films- 3 bahadur Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s team

Next miles for CLF: Programmatic – publications & institutional Multiply the social capital created through CLFs and TLFs Take CLF to schools – and neighbourhoods in many forms selecting from appropriate strands as per demand context Making a directory of CLF resource persons that will multiply – heroes of CLF’s Mobile rickshaws for learaning and creativity Innovations contd. . In publications; critical thinking; promoting reading and e-learning Thematic areas of: peace; global citizenship, environmental education; Finding Young authors – local literature Research on impact done innovatively at school – children’s teachers’ home levels Most important: to mobilize resources , resources and resources for a growing evolving social movement – creating unique social capital across generations

Please join this movement! Make it your own. . For All Information: write to: maham. ali@itacec. org

Intro Baela Raza Jamil is the Trustee/Advisor for the Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), and a former technical advisor to the Federal Ministry of Education, she is an activist at heart. She has worked extensively in policy making, decentralization, with public sector, non-state and citizen actors for education quality, equity and access. She has played a vital role in popularizing citizen led large scale assessments, reading/ learning beyond textbooks; and public private partnerships in three continents and across several countries. Baela has pioneered many innovations viz, the well known Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) Pakistan; Children’s Literature Festival (CLF), early childhood care and education (ECCE). Member of many professional associations, she serves on several advisory boards of the government, academic and civil society organizations in Pakistan including the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report UNESCO; Learning Assessment at UIS, PAL Network and the Global Business Coalition for Education. She currently serves as one of the 20 Commissioners on the International Commission on Global Education Opportunity. Her current job is as the Chief of Party with Deloitte for the Sindh Capacity Development Project (SCDP).