The Compassionate Bookshelf and House of Wisdom program of Vietnam have been honored in the Excellent Practice category of the Literacy Eradication and Knowledge Dissemination Award Ceremony took place solemnly at the headquarters of the Library of Congress, Washington DC.

The program received this prestigious award for their efforts in creating a reading ecosystem, contributing to creating generations of global citizens full of wisdom and compassion.

Vietnam delegation receives the award this year. Photo: VNA 

Up to now, these two Vietnamese programs have built a network of 20.090 bookcases (more than 1,1 million books) in more than 3.000 schools and residential communities and 168 community learning spaces in six countries (Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, United States), providing completely free lifelong learning opportunities for millions of children and adults.

The program has brought many diverse and useful activities to the community including: libraries; free classes both in person and online on many subjects necessary for life (especially English, learning methods and life skills, personal finance); scholarships for members who make efforts in activities; cultural-educational exchange talks with leading professors, scholars, lecturers, and experts in the country and the world; activities of sports, art and martial arts clubs; museum of local culture; STEM education; summer camp…

Nguyen Anh Tuan, founder of Compassion Bookshelf and House of Wisdom, said: “This award is for all philanthropic organizations, individuals, teachers, volunteers, and tens of thousands of people from many countries who have supported and contributed to making programme. Being recognized and honored on an international scale by one of the world's most prestigious cultural and educational organizations also further affirms the vision, mission of the organization and the value of the program has diligently pursued for many years."

Sharing about the contributions of the founding team to the reading community in Vietnam as well as around the world, Nguyen Thuy Hong, Deputy Ambassador of Vietnam to the US, affirmed: "The award is a recognition of the group’s great contribution to promoting reading, studying and improving the intellectual level of Vietnamese people. Hopefully this award will spread and encourage the reading movement in the community with the participation and contributions of organizations and individuals both at home and abroad."

Hong said the Vietnamese Embassy in the US will actively promote cooperation between the Compassionate Bookshelf and House of Wisdom program to Vietnamese reading promotion organizations, contributing to strengthening cultural-educational and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, making practical and effective contributions to the Vietnam-US comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Literacy Eradication and Knowledge Dissemination Award was established in 2013 to honor organizations with groundbreaking, creative and effective strategies in promoting reading and creating learning opportunities for everyone. After 11 years, the US Library of Congress has awarded awards to 180 organizations from 39 countries around the world.

In 2023, the Organizing Committee awarded prizes to 18 organizations from 6 countries including: the United States (accounting for 2/3 of the awards), New Zealand, England, Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam.

Speaking at the award ceremony on October 18, Dr. Carla Hayden - Director of the Library of Congress emphasized: “Literacy is the path to happiness, health and comprehensive development of each individual. Today, the Library of Congress respectfully recognizes and honors 18 organizations that have made great contributions and strong commitments to improving literacy and disseminating knowledge globally.”

Ngo Minh

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