Literacyfor DemocracyShaping the Future
Reading is at the very heart of today’s global challenges.
It builds our brains to be innovative, resilient, and strong thinkers for the age of AI; it supports emotional development and psychological stability; it is the foundational skill for any educational process; and it enhances our communication skills for democratic teamwork and true societal resilience.
We want to change the way society and policymakers perceive reading. Treating it narrowly as merely an educational tool that shapes cultural awareness has become a barrier to Europe’s development. It is crucial to understand that the ability to read and write, as well as to interpret and create texts, forms the foundation for the future of our civilization.
Who are we raising for the future of our economies and democracies in the age of AI?
How can we support parents and caregivers in their role as influencers of young minds?
What policies are already in place, and what policies are still needed?
These and other considerations will be at the heart of our esteemed guests’ discussions.
Experts:
PhD in Polish Studies and works with future teachers at the Polish-American Freedom Foundation (PAFF) and University of Warsaw School of Education, focusing on literature and language teaching. Since 2025, she has served as the School's Development Director. A Polish and Hebrew philologist by training, she addresses educational challenges such as breaking down reading barriers in schools and developing fundamental, social, and personal competencies in Polish language classes.
DR KINGA BIAŁEK
The PAFF and UW School of Education
Poland
Jonathan Douglas Expert in education and literature, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, one of the UK’s leading reading promotion organizations. Formerly affiliated with the Fair Education Alliance and Every Child a Reader, and a member of the Booker Prize Advisory Committee. Initiator of the Literacy Business Pledge.
JONATHAN DOUGLAS
National Literacy Trust, UK
Full professor at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, and head of the MultiLADA Lab. She researches language development in monolingual and multilingual children and co-created the Cross-Linguistic Lexical Tasks (CLTs), now available in 40 languages. She actively promotes bilingualism through international research, workshops, and initiatives for parents, teachers, and practitioners.
PROF. EWA HAMAN
University of Warsaw, Poland
Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC). He has been with the Commission since 1999, holding several senior positions, including Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Dacian Cioloș (2009–2014). Before his EU career, he was Secretary General of an EU-wide NGO.
GEORG HÄUSLER
European Commission
Prominent leader in literacy promotion and a key figure in Finland’s national reading landscape. She has spearheaded impactful initiatives, including the nationwide "Book Bag for Every Baby Born" program, significantly boosting shared reading at home. Emmi is dedicated to advancing equal access to reading as a cornerstone of social participation and democratic resilience.
EMMI JÄKKÖ
Lukukeskus, Finland
Writer, historian, disputes officer for the Irish Writers’ Union and member of the EWC board, is a prominent advocate for writers’ rights and literary culture. He is the author of numerous historical and fictional works, which have earned him recognition in both fields. He is highly regarded for his influence on children's literature and his commitment to promoting Irish literature.
CONOR KOSTICK
European Writers’ Council, Irish Writers’ Union,
Ireland
Prezes Zarządu Nowej Ery (Sanoma Learning). Absolwent WSB–NLU w Nowym Sączu i MBA Maastricht School of Management. Doświadczony menedżer, wcześniej w Grupie ORLEN (strategia i M&A). Członek Rady Doradczej Atlantic Council, komitetu audytu Fundacji Wspierania Rozwoju Radiokomunikacji i Technik Multimedialnych przy Politechnice Warszawskiej oraz Rady Interesariuszy na WNPiSM Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego.
ANDRZEJ J. KOZŁOWSKI
Nowa Era, Sanoma Learning Poland,
Poland
Expert in literacy and education, CEO of the German Reading Foundation (Stiftung Lesen) under the patronage of the German President. Chair of EURead, a European network of reading promotion organizations, and former CEO of the German Foundation for World Population. Experienced leader in global health, education, and non-profit management.
DR JÖRG MAAS
Stiftung Lesen,
Germany
National President of the Italian Associazione Culturale Pediatri (ACP) and a primary care pediatrician. Member of the national coordination group of Nati per Leggere and a national trainer for the Nurturing Care framework. Collaborates with the Italian National Institute of Health on European projects and supports adolescents with eating disorders in a high-intensity residential care facility.
DR STEFANIA MANETTI
Associazione Culturale Pediatri, Italy
Researcher at the IRCCS ‘Burlo Garofolo’ in Italy, and at Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana. Her research focuses on early speech and auditory perception, early intervention in deaf and hard-of-hearing infants, and parent-child communication. She is currently developing innovative methods for assessing auditory and speech processing and creating a Slovenian children's speech corpus.
IRCCS „Burlo Garofolo”, Italy; Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
Founder and Co-Director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, and Professor at the University of Chicago. A nationally recognized expert, she focuses on early brain development, preventing cognitive disparities, and empowering parents as “brain architects.” Her work explores how artificial intelligence can support—rather than replace—caregivers in fostering healthy development.
PROF. DANA SUSKIND
TMW, Chicago Medical
University, USA
Desk officer at the Libraries Collaboration Unit at The National Library of Sweden. Her areas of expertise are library plans, national minorities, and school libraries. Anna-Stina has many years of experience from business development in school libraries, public libraries, and regional libraries. Now she works at a national level to promote collaboration and to contribute to a national overview of the Swedish library sector.
ANNA-STINA TAKALA
National Library of Sweden,
Sweden
President of the Lewiatan Confederation and member of the Board of Trustees of the Universal Reading Foundation. Previously long-serving CEO of Orange, Work Service, and Lucas Bank, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Council. Recipient of the Legion of Honour and the Order of Polonia Restituta. Candidate for the Presidency of BusinessEurope.
MACIEJ WITUCKI
Lewiatan Confederation, Business Europe, Poland
Publisher, reading expert, and collective impact practitioner. Former long-time head of the book divisions at Egmont and Burda, co-founder and president of the Universal Reading Foundation. Author of “The Superpower of Books: A Guide to Promoting Reading”, and co-author of “Dads Read Too: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers” and “The Reading School”. Ashoka Fellow. Member of the Council for Public Benefit Activity.
MARIA DESKUR
Universal Reading Foundation, Poland
Lectures and panels:
THEME #1
CHALLENGES for the FUTURE
Lecture:
Prof. Dana Suskind, TMW, Chicago Medical University, USA
Human Raised: Preparing Children to Thrive in AI-Dominant Workplaces, Democracies, and Societies
Panel discussion:
Prof. Dana Suskind, TMW, Chicago Medical University, USA
Maciej Witucki, Business Europe, Europe
Georg Häusler, European Commission
Andrzej J. Kozłowski, Nowa Era, Sanoma Learning, Polska
Moderation: Maria DeskurUniversal Reading Foundation, Poland
THEME #2
ANSWERS WE HAVE BUT DON’T NECESSARILY USE
Lecture:
Dr Stefania Manetti, Associazione Culturale Pediatri,
Stimulation for creativity and agency from the start: Proven effective interventions.
Panel discussion:
Dr Stefania Manetti, Associazione Culturale Pediatri, Italy
Prof. Ewa Haman, University of Warsaw, Poland
Conor Kostick, European Writers’ Council, Irish Writers’ Union, Ireland
Prof. Dana Suskind, TMW, Chicago Medical University, USA
Moderation: Amanda Saksida, IRCCS „Burlo Garofolo”, Italy; Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
THEME #3
INTERVENTIONS WE USE: best in class examples
Lecture 1:
Jonathan Douglas, National Literacy Trust, UK
The British Example: The National Year of Reading.
Lecture 2:
Anna Stina-Takala, Biblioteka Narodowa, Szwecja
Sweden: The reform of school libraries
Panel discussion:
Dr. Kinga Bialek, The PAFF and UW School of Education, Poland
Jonathan Douglas, National Literacy Trust, UK
Dr Jörg Maas, Stiftung Lesen, Germany
Anna-Stina Takala, Biblioteka Narodowa, Szwecja
Moderation: Emmi Jäkkö, Lukukeskus, Finland
International conference
The conference is part of a broader project – the European Authors Day #ReadForReal – an initiative created by Creative Europe and dedicated to fostering creativity and literacy as means for Europe to remain human.
Run by an international consortium since 2025, the project aims to support and strengthen professional networks in their advocacy work and impact for literacy to be seen as truly vital for our common future.
Exchange of Ideas
We invite you to talk & discuss, exchange perspectives and sometimes disagree (!) within a diverse group of educators, policymakers, researchers, activists, authors, and business leaders. By bringing together diverse experiences and viewpoints, we aim to foster dialogue that inspires new ideas and practical solutions to strengthen literacy for democracy and the future. Become part of the movement!
REGISTRATION:
Participation in the conference is free of charge; however, the number of places is limited.
Interested persons are kindly requested to contact us at: [email protected]
Sending an email constitutes an expression of interest in attending. Confirmation of participation will be sent in a separate message.
