Plano Nacional de Leitura / (Commission for the) National Reading Plan (Portugal)

The National Reading Plan is a Government initiative, under the joint responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and it has been given political priority. It has been implemented in a network basis through a set of strategies designed to cover the entire population, from infancy to adulthood, especially among school populations. Different institutions responsible for reading promotion such as the School Libraries Network (Ministry of Education), the General Directorate for Book and Libraries (Ministry of Culture), Cabinet for the Media (Minister of Parliamentary Affairs) contribute to the National Reading Plan. The Commission for the National Reading Plan is the authority whose principal task is to implement programs aimed at promoting the development of skills in reading and writing, as well as the broadening and deepening of reading habits. The main programs include: promotion of daily reading in kindergartens and classrooms of Basic Education School; promotion of reading within a family context; promotion of reading at public libraries and in other social contexts; Use of media and public opinion awareness campaigns; production of programs centered around books and reading, to be broadcasted both on radio and television; creation of internet resources on books and reading for children, young people and adults. The National Reading Plan is based on a set of research studies including the evaluation of different initiatives. Partners, sponsors and benefactors are encouraged to contribute to the creation of a social environment favourable to the broadening of cultural habits in the area of books and reading.