A book and copyright in the modern society

From 17 April to 15 May, an exhibition "A book and copyright in the modern society" dedicated to World Books and Copyright Day runs in the Documents of International Organizations Reading Room (room 207g).

This day is celebrated annually on 23 April since 1996. It was proclaimed at the 28th session of UNESCO on 15 November, 1995 (resolution 28 C/3.18).

Beginning with small events World Book and Copyright Day gradually developed into a major professional holiday for all those who work in the field of books and copyright, and for a large number of people working in the field of culture and education. Today, this day is celebrated in dozens of countries on all continents, millions of people united in hundreds of different associations. It is celebrated in publishing houses, libraries, schools, government agencies, professional organizations and private enterprises. Traditionally book fairs and exhibitions are organized in many parts of the world on this day.

Celebrating this holiday, UNESCO seeks to promote interest in reading, expand the publishing industry, and promote the protection of intellectual property rights by the Copyright Act. On this day a special attention is given to a book and its important role in the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage, in the development of tolerance and intercultural dialogue.

A book is an indispensable media. Thanks to the book we get first access to knowledge, thought, spiritual and moral values, we understand the beauty and the creative achievements of man. The basis of education and creativity, the book allows each culture to tell about itself, familiar with the customs and traditions of different peoples.

From scrolls to codices, manuscripts to printed matter and tablet computers, books have changed in appearance many times over the centuries. In all formats, books embody ideas and values considered by men and women to be worth passing on.

A book is a window into the world of cultural diversity, it is the bridge that connects the different civilizations in space and time. A book is of great importance for the conservation and enhancement of the culture of each country. It helps to preserve and enrich the cultural heritage of the mankind.

Since 2000, World Book and Copyright Day has inspired another initiative of professional organizations which receives the assistance of UNESCO and backing from States: World Book Capital City. In the framework of each year selects a city that is committed to continue efforts begun in the celebration of Book Day, through the implementation this year of their own actions. Cities close to all regions of the world passed the baton to each other, turning World Book and Copyright Day in the inexhaustible source of further expansion of cultural and geographical sphere of influence of the book. In 2013, World Book Capital will become Bangkok.

The exhibition includes more than 80 publications of the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the European Union from the funds of the National Library of Belarus in Russian, English, French and German languages: books, periodicals, booklets, booklets, mimeographed materials of the UN and UNESCO.

The exhibition includes the following sections:

• A book and its role in the modern society.
• Book culture, cultural policy in the world.
• Copyright. The activities of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• International conventions, treaties and agreements in the field of book publishing, book distribution and copyright.
• Copyright protection, and the book publishing industry in the Republic of Belarus.

The exhibition will be of interest to journalists, publishers, authors, workers in the fild of book industry, as well as lawyers, businessmen and all those who are interested in the protection and issues of copyright and related rights.

Contact telephone: (+375 17) 293 27 34.

Useful links

• World Book and Copyright
• Message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day

Documents

• 3.18 Resolution of the 28th session of UNESCO’s proclamation of the Day
• Reports of the UN Secretary General on copyright
• Universal copyright convention
• The WIPO Copyright Treaty

The UN system

• UNESCO
  • World Book and Copyright Day
  • Books and reading
  • Protection of folklore
  • The United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All (2003–2012)
• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
  • Copyright and Related Rights
  • Global IP reference resource
  • The digital library of intellectual property (2005: Geneva)
  • The WIPO Copyright Treaty