Global Association of Literary Festivals and Voices of Future Generations

The Emirates Literature Foundation (ELF) is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization that supports and nurtures a love of literature in the UAE and across the region through a program of varied cultural initiatives. The Foundation governs the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the UAE’s premier literary festival, and as part of its initiatives, has implemented a School Librarian of the Year Award, Voices of Future Generations, as well as year-round School Education Programs, Book Clubs and Creative Writing Courses. The Foundation’s popular annual competitions and creative courses encourage students to unlock their own potential in reading and writing. Working with its partners, the Emirates Literature Foundation has created opportunities for young authors and illustrators to publish their writing. Global Association of Literary Festivals The Emirates Literature Foundation hosted a conference for festival directors of other international festivals at the Emirates LitFest 2020. The aim was to build bridges with other festivals, giving the opportunity of showcasing Emirati writers and provide opportunities for them to appear at other festivals around the world. As a result, Afra Atiq and HE Omar Said Ghobash took part at the Jaipur Literary Festival in India and were invited to attend other international festivals throughout 2020. Due to the pandemic this was not possible, so the “Literary Conversation Across Borders” project was instigated with the support of the UAE Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy. It used a digital platform to host Emirati writers and commentators in live discussions with high profile experts from around the world on a variety of critical topics. As a result of the success of the Conference, the Global Association of Literary Festivals was founded. Administered by the Emirates Literature Foundation, it provides a medium for sharing information and collaboration with other festivals around the world Voices of Future Generations The Voices of Future Generations is a unique writing initiative, created to promote sustainability awareness and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The competition for children encourages stories about characters overcoming sustainability challenges, the Rights of a Child, and creating a more tolerant world. The best entries are published in a book and sent to schools across the globe. The Voices of Future Generations regional competition is organized by the Emirates Literature Foundation on behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Hessa Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Goodwill Ambassador for the initiative for the Gulf Region.