By V. Sivaji
The “Jom Kita Bincang” or “Let’s Talk About It” roadshow made its stopover in Georgetown, Penang at the Penang Public Library along Jalan Scotland here.
It is brought here by the Embassy of Sweden to promote the habit of reading and creativity among kids.
Guest-of-honour was the ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia HE Dr Joachim Bergstrom along with State Exco for Youth, Sports and Health YB Daniel Gooi.
Also present was YB Heng Lee Lee, assemblywoman for Berapit and deputy chair of Penang Library Board, the ambassador of Sweden to Indonesia HE Daniel Blockert, the director of Penang Public Library Corporation, Norlina Ahmad among others.
A total of 100 stakeholders from the industry, teachers, parents and school representatives were also in attendance.
There is also a Swedish Little Library exhibition for the benefit of kids.
In his address Joachim said that the progamme aims to explore how children’s literature can spark conversations and affect meaningful change on sustainability, health, human rights and social issues.
“The children are our future and in Sweden we have a long history of socially and environmentally conscious children’s books that have shaped our society of today.
“You can explore some of the cutting-edge Swedish children’s books touching on subjects such as sustainability, the authority of grownups, and bullying. There are titles are in English, Mandarin and also three books in Bahasa Malaysia”, he added.
Meanwhile, Gooi said that the initiative is an inspiring programme by the Swedish Embassy in Malaysia.
“This project holds immense potential to influence and shape young minds through the power of children’s literature, fostering awareness and sparking vital conversations about sustainability, heath and social issues.
“Encouraging intellectual curiosity in children is vital for their development and future innovation”, he added.
The programme for the morning also included dialogue session and also tour of the Swedish Little Library.
The project runs till June 17, 2024.
Dr Joachim