Title: Child and the Book conference
Date: 26-28 May
Venue: University of Malta Valletta Campus
The sixteenth Child and the Book conference, convened by the Department of English at the University of Malta, will be held between 26 and 28 May, 2022. Welcoming over 120 speakers from 34 different countries, it promises to be a rich event focused on the theme of child citizenship and the role that literature, culture, and the media play in forming changing identities and increasing civic involvement by children and young adults.
Public discourse on the role of children and young adults in contemporary society is divided into two extremes. On the one hand, social critics claim this is a detached, oblivious generation of ‘snowflakes’ addicted to phones and the narcissistic side of social media. On the other, this moment represents a revival of young power and leadership, both locally and at the heart of global civic movements like Greta Thunberg’s #climatecrisis campaign, Malala Yousafzai’s fund for quality education for girls, among many others. What is clear is that childhood can no longer be sugar coated as a time in life when children remain oblivious to what is taking place around them.
By implication, the notion that we must equip future generations to deal with global issues is obsolete. The political, environmental, cultural turning point that we are experiencing requires immediate action. A clearer examination of the role children and young adults play, and the frameworks that facilitate or obstruct their participation in civic matters, is urgently required.
Join the discussion, virtually or in person, by registering for the conference.
