Vietnamese Literacy Initiatives win Library of Congress Award
On October 18, 2023, the prestigious Literacy Awards Ceremony unfolded with grandeur at the headquarters of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Among the distinguished honorees were Vietnam's own Compassion Books and the House of Wisdom Programs, recognised under the Successful Practice Honoree category.
Latest
These programs were celebrated for their unwavering dedication to cultivating a robust reading and lifelong learning ecosystem, a commitment that resonates in their profound contributions to nurturing generations of global citizens with wisdom and compassion.
 |
| The representatives of two programs received the award |
Established and sponsored by David M. Rubenstein in 2013, the Literacy Awards is a platform that honours entities that exhibit exemplary, innovative, and replicable approaches to fight against illiteracy. Over 11 years, the Library of Congress has bestowed this honour on 180 organisations from 39 countries worldwide.
In 2023, the Library of Congress recognised 18 outstanding organisations from six countries, including the United States (comprising two-thirds of the honorees), New Zealand, England, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
"Literacy is a pathway to an individual’s happiness, health, and well-being,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “The Library of Congress is proud to honour and celebrate the achievements of these extraordinary organisations, through the generosity of David M. Rubenstein, in their commitment to expanding literacy worldwide.”
The Library of Congress Award holds international significance for Compassion Books and the House of Wisdom Programs. To date, these two Vietnamese initiatives have established a network of 20,090 bookcases, stocked with over 1.1 million books, across more than 3,000 schools, residential communities, and 168 community learning spaces in six countries, namely Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. This expansive network offers millions of children and adults free lifelong learning opportunities.
Before receiving the Award, the founders of Compassion Books and the House of Wisdom Programs held a productive meeting with the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States. They shared their insights on the group's significant contributions to the global reading community. Nguyen Thuy Hong, Deputy Ambassador of Vietnam to the U.S., expressed her profound happiness and pride in learning about this award and the group's invaluable efforts to promote reading and elevate the intellectual standards of the Vietnamese populace. She hoped that the success of this award would kindle a passion for reading within communities, drawing the support and involvement of organisations and individuals both domestically and internationally. The Vietnamese Embassy in the U.S. pledged to proactively facilitate connections that foster collaboration between these programs and Vietnamese reading promotion organisations with the reading community in the U.S. and Vietnam. This, in turn, would fortify cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations, reinforcing the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership.
 |
| The representatives of the two programs met with the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States. |
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, the visionary founder of Compassion Books and the House of Wisdom Programs, remarked, "This award is a testament to the collective dedication of philanthropists, individuals, educators, and volunteers, with thousands of people from various countries who have supported and contributed to our program. Being recognised and celebrated internationally by one of the world's most esteemed cultural and educational institutions further validates our organisation's vision, mission, and the enduring value of the program we have diligently championed for many years."
 |
| Showcase activities after the Award Ceremony |
Following the morning's Award Ceremony, various side activities unfolded enthusiastically, including exhibitions, displays, presentations, networking, and knowledge-sharing. As Dr. Carla Hayden emphasised, these activities present valuable opportunities for collaborating organisations that share a joint mission, both among themselves and with the Library of Congress. The aim is to champion equal educational opportunities for all, thereby contributing to the advancement of communities, nations, and humanity.
| TIN LIÊN QUAN | |
 | Compassion Books, House of Wisdom Program recognized at US Library of Congress Literacy Awards |
| ASIAD 2023: First gold for Vietnamese Karate team and third of Vietnamese delegation |
