The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) recently opened three small libraries in Ethiopia as part of its “Thank you, Small Library” (TYSL) project, part of its official development assistance (ODA) program that focuses on books and literacy.
Under the TYSL project, the culture ministry opened on February 7 small libraries at the Civil Service University, at the Beherawi Primary School and at the Finfine Primary School, all in Addis Ababa, the capital, bringing the total number of small libraries the Korean government has opened in the country to ten.
The TYSL project is jointly carried out by the MCST, the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, a Seoul-based broadcaster, and the STEP Foundation, part of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The project began in 2007 in Ghana and has now spread across the world.
To establish a new library, when a TYSL beneficiary country provides an existing building with approximately 50 square meters of space, the ministry will then provide the books, materials and other necessary supplies to support the opening of the book center. The ministry also provides material and educational programs for library managers and librarians after the opening ceremony.
The ministry plans to continue developing its TYSL project, to help improve learning ability and to narrow the culture and information gap amongst children and youth of the poorest nations, all while focusing on the eradication of poverty, as part of the UN’s eight Millennium Development Goals.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
Under the TYSL project, the culture ministry opened on February 7 small libraries at the Civil Service University, at the Beherawi Primary School and at the Finfine Primary School, all in Addis Ababa, the capital, bringing the total number of small libraries the Korean government has opened in the country to ten.
The TYSL project is jointly carried out by the MCST, the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, a Seoul-based broadcaster, and the STEP Foundation, part of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The project began in 2007 in Ghana and has now spread across the world.
STEP Foundation Chairperson Dho Young-shim (center) and staffers of the Civil Service University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pose for a photo to mark the opening of the small library on February 7. (photo courtesy of the MCST)
STEP Foundation Chairperson Dho Young-shim (right) and staffers of the Beherawi Primary School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pose for a photo to mark the opening of the small library on February 7. (photo courtesy of the MCST)
To establish a new library, when a TYSL beneficiary country provides an existing building with approximately 50 square meters of space, the ministry will then provide the books, materials and other necessary supplies to support the opening of the book center. The ministry also provides material and educational programs for library managers and librarians after the opening ceremony.
The ministry plans to continue developing its TYSL project, to help improve learning ability and to narrow the culture and information gap amongst children and youth of the poorest nations, all while focusing on the eradication of poverty, as part of the UN’s eight Millennium Development Goals.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
