The Conference, "Children's literature- Bridges Between Nations", was organized by IBBY, and held in Biga, Turkey from 16 to 19 May 2009 (26-29 Ordibehesht 1388).
Writers, specialists and researchers in children's literature from Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Turkey participated in this conference, along with Patsy Aldena, IBBY President and Liz Page IBBY Executive Director.
The objective of the Conference was to exchange views on formation and development of children's literature in countries like Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The regional conference was recommended based on extensive considerations by IBBY Board of Directors, as an effective way for specialists/researchers of children's literature to exchange information, to acquire a better understanding of developments in the neighboring countries, and most of all to seek appropriate procedures to advance children's literature in the region.
Participants from Iran were Noushafarin Ansari, Head of IBBY Iran; Zohreh Ghaeni, member of IBBY Board of Directors, President of Hans Christian Anderson Jury; Monir Homayouni. Director of Centre for Cultural Development of Children; Mohammad Hadi Mohammadi, Children's writer and researcher; Farzaneh Okhovat, promoter of children's literature and Afsaneh Ashrafi, NGO Consultant and volunteer at Research Institute for History of Children's Literature.