A five-year pilot programme designed to encourage children to read
If you want to encourage the next generation to pick up a book simply because they want to, rather than because they have to, these upcoming events in the UAE could be well worth adding to your calendar.
The Reading for Pleasure Caravan Conference is heading to Dubai, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi from 28 September to 1 October, bringing together educators, parents, researchers, authors and reading advocates for a series of talks, panel discussions and workshops exploring one important question: how do we help children develop a genuine, lifelong love of reading?
Now in its third edition, the conference forms part of the Emirates Literature Foundation’s wider Reading for Pleasure initiative, a five-year pilot programme designed to encourage children to read outside the pressures of schoolwork, exams and assessments.
And this year, there’s a twist.
A conference on the move
Rather than taking place in a single location, this year’s conference has adopted a travelling “caravan” format, inspired by the historic trade caravans that connected communities, commerce and culture across the Arabian Peninsula.
The conference will travel between Dubai, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, with each stop offering opportunities to hear from experts, take part in discussions and exchange ideas around reading and education.
The Dubai edition on 28 September will kick things off at the Museum of the Future, followed by a second Dubai event at Zayed University on 29 September.
The caravan then travels to United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain on 30 September before finishing at Higher Colleges of Technology’s Abu Dhabi campus on 1 October.
Why does reading for pleasure matter?
The idea behind the conference goes beyond simply getting children to read more books.
The Emirates Literature Foundation’s Reading for Pleasure programme focuses on helping children discover the enjoyment that comes from reading without the expectation of being tested afterwards.
The Foundation launched its five-year pilot in 2023 across six schools in Dubai, covering children from KG1 through to Grade 6. The programme gives students dedicated time to read for fun, alongside access to carefully selected books and a range of activities designed to make reading a natural part of everyday life.
Research into reading for pleasure has linked regular reading with benefits including stronger vocabulary and grammar, greater empathy and confidence, improved wellbeing and a broader understanding of the world and different cultures.
The idea is simple: when children associate books with enjoyment rather than homework, reading can become something they choose to continue throughout their lives.
What will be discussed?
The conference will explore the many different factors that influence children’s reading habits, from psychology and brain development to the role of families.
One of the key themes is Arabic language education and bilingualism, including practical ways to encourage children to enjoy reading in Arabic while supporting their mother tongue.
Other topics include the relationship between reading, mental health and academic development, faculty perspectives and wellbeing, and approaches to making reading more accessible to individuals of determination.
There will also be conversations around the importance of choosing books that reflect children’s lives and communities.
That “window and mirror” approach is central to the Foundation’s philosophy: books should allow children to see themselves and their own experiences, while also opening a window into different cultures, people and perspectives.
A UAE-focused approach
While the conference welcomes international expertise, there is a strong emphasis on making reading relevant to children growing up in the UAE.
The Reading for Pleasure project works with books in both Arabic and English, with selections carefully curated to reflect local culture while offering a broad range of subjects, interests and perspectives.
The programme is also being studied in depth. The Emirates Literature Foundation has partnered with Zayed University, UAE University and Birmingham University in the UAE and UK to research the initiative over its five-year pilot period.
The findings will help assess the programme’s impact and inform how it could potentially be developed and expanded in the future.
The conference welcomes parents, teachers and reading enthusiasts for insightful talks and workshops, helping make reading an enjoyable, accessible and lasting part of children’s lives.
Best of all, it’s free, and educators will receive a certificate of participation.
The Education Triangle
A major part of the Reading for Pleasure programme is its focus on the three groups that influence a child’s relationship with books: students, teachers and parents.
For students, participating schools have introduced dedicated reading time, with children given around 10 minutes during the school day simply to read for pleasure.
Classrooms have mini libraries, while school libraries are being developed with age-appropriate and culturally relevant books, comfortable reading spaces and accessible shelving.
The programme also brings local children’s authors into schools for regular visits and interactive sessions, alongside book-themed activities and educational trips.
Teachers are supported through monthly professional development sessions with reading experts, while ongoing feedback between teachers, researchers and the Foundation helps identify areas where additional support is needed.
Parents are equally important. Monthly meetings and coffee mornings give families an opportunity to share ideas and practical advice, while parents can access books and resources to help create a reading-friendly environment at home.
When and where is the Reading for Pleasure Caravan Conference?
The conference takes place across four venues between 28 September and 1 October 2026:
28 September, Museum of the Future, Dubai
29 September, Zayed University, Dubai Campus
30 September, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain
1 October, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi Campus
Attendance at all conference activities is free of charge, making it an easy one to add to the calendar if you’re a parent, educator or simply passionate about getting children excited about books.
For further information and registration, visit readingforpleasure.ae
