2014-15 Country Report: Germany
Prepared by Sabine Uehleine
Mission of Stiftlung Lesen
The mission of Stiftung Lesen is to ensure that every child and adult in Germany develops crucial reading and media skills, and enjoys reading. As the ability to read is the basis of the ability to learn. As generating pleasure in reading generates chances in life. And quite simply because reading is fun.
Situation in Germany:
- 5 million people are functional illiterates
- 5% of the 15-year old have difficulties in reading and writing
- 5%of the people between 16 and 65 years are only able to understand the simplest texts
- 000 pupils leave schools without graduation
- 15 bn. Euro consequential charges arise during the next 10 years
What we do (e.g):
- advocate for reading and media competency;
- scientific research, political recommendations and programs;
- pilot and research projects;
- early infant development in the family; and
- projects at school or outside school.
We create movement
- 800,000 children are enthralled each year by the current gift book “I will make you a gift of a story” on World Book Day on 23rd April.
- 200,000 “Reading Friends” books were given to adults as a gift on World Book Day 2014.
- Providing a network for 150,000 volunteers, actively involved in reading and storytelling.
- 3,500 young people campaign for reading as reading scouts in schools.
- 38,500 teachers from all types of schools are actively involved in the Stiftung Lesen’s teachers’ club.
- 290 Reading Clubs offer a room as a sheltered meeting point with books, magazines and media to children and teenager.
- million young families receive Reading Starter Sets by 2018.
- 400,000 Youth receive more than 1,5 million magazines due to the project “Magazines in schools”
- 27 Million Books arrived in families with children during several Happy-Meal Book Campaigns.
- Well-known reading ambassadors enthrall children and young people.
The national reading day
…is the largest reading festival in Germany …moves about 100.000 voluntary readers …elates 1 million of listeners …and thus strengthens reading culture in Germany.
Consequently the National Reading Day is the project of Stiftung Lesen that generates most media attention.
We are part of EU READ
Consortium of European reading promotion organizations, exchanging knowledge, experiences and concepts, developing new strategies for the promotion of reading. New Members are welcome. Please visit our website: www.euread.com
And Elinet
- European literacy network of 79 partner organizations from 28 European countries
- Exchanging policy approaches, good practice, and initiatives
- Raising awareness of the importance of literacy
- Funding Institution European Commission, General Directorate Education and Culture
- Please visit our website: eli-net.eu
Topics we are focused on are:
- Digital Reading as empowerment of reading promotion
- Reading and Movement: conceptions to combine two topics which are underdeveloped for a lot of children and youngsters
- Reading and demographic change: changing societies, changing needs, changing volunteers
- Refugees welcome: In cooperation with two federal ministries we train carer and support them and the refugees with reading and media boxes.