The Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC), the Indian Section of IBBY is hosting the 26th Congress of the International Board on Books For Young People (IBBY). The theme of the Congress is peace through children's books. This is the first time that India is holding the world congress on children's book. IBBY is non-profit organisation founded in 1953 in Switzerland. It has more than 60 National Sections and represents countries with well-developed book publishing and literary programmes. It is a network of people from all over the world committed to bringing books and children together. In addition to other work the IBBY confers, biennially, the highest international recognition given to an author and illustrator of children's books - the Hans Christian Andersen Award commonly known as the 'Little Nobel Prize'. This prize is awardee for outstanding contribution to Children's literature.
IBBY also presents everywhere the IBBY-Asahi Reading Promotion Award to a group or institution that is making a significant contribution to book promotion programmes for children. The AWIC received this Award in 1991 for its Home Library Project. The AWIC is a voluntary organization founded in 1981 and has organized the Indian Section of IBBY since 1990.
The aim of the 26th IBBY Congress is to explore, encourage and promote the concept of peace as a theme in children's books. Books can be used to serve as important vehicles to convey the message of peace in an entertaining manner and help children to live in harmony with the rest of the world and with themselves. The design of the stamp effectively symbolize this message.
The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a stamp on the occasion of 26th IBBY congress being held in New Delhi.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India