our projects
#ReadingHe rules
The Union of Polish Metropolises, i.e. the 12 largest Polish cities, and the Universal Reading Foundation show why reading has the power to improve the world.
The presidents of twelve Polish metropolises act as ambassadors for reading – they invite you to a semi-private conversation, share their literary preferences, and show that #CzytanieRządzi!
The campaign is open. We invite everyone to get involved.
#READINGRULES
Reading has the power to make the world a better place
Why does #ReadingRule?
Communities of people who read create stronger economies and civil societies, and actively shape their future. OECD research has proven that reading reduces status differences, that if a child is keen to read, this fact will have a greater impact on their success than the environment they come from. It has also been proven that reading together with a parent helps in the socio-emotional development of children, and reading fiction increases our empathy. That is why reading is now called the single most important factor supporting sustainable development. That is why #CzytanieRzdzi.
#MEETINGS
#ReadingRules in the House of Literature
In autumn 2023, together with the Śródmieście District of the capital city of Warsaw, FPC is organising a series of reading meetings at the Warsaw House of Literature, for children of preschool and early school age.
These are further activities under the slogan #CzytanieRządzi, which shows the consistent involvement of the Warsaw local government in the important issue of raising the level of reading.
The initiative is part of Warsaw's pro-reading commitment, and also shows the methodical and purposeful nature of the actions. Taking them up in the capital has the potential to become a model and inspiration for other local governments.
Joint activities with local authorities are intended to contribute to the promotion of reading, pointing out the values of daily reading to children, in contacts with their parents and guardians.
Onet radio I know
See the conversation
The President of the Universal Reading Foundation, Maria Deskur and the Mayor of Szczecin, Piotr Krzystek, talked about the #CzytanieRządzi campaign and why it is so important for local governments to get involved in promoting reading. We invite you to watch!
The joint, personal commitment of the mayors of the largest Polish cities to popularize reading is an expression of concern for the development of residents - because reading is a tool for the development of each of us. Find out who bends the corners of books, who reads in the bathtub, whose friends don't give their books back, and who owes their sea adventure to books.
Tadeusz Truskolaski
President of Białystok, Chairman of the Board of the Union of Polish Metropolises
In light of the events of recent months, we have come to the conclusion that today, more than ever, in addition to the necessary immediate actions, we must introduce strong long-term actions that build the foundations of an open, democratic and competent society – and research shows that people who read create such societies. That is why, with even greater commitment, as a group of twelve presidents, we encourage reading with one common voice. Not for the sake of preachiness, but for democracy, science and the social development of our citizens, cities and country. Because #CzytanieRzdzi!
Rafal Bruski
President of Bydgoszcz
Reading is a tool. You must first learn to read, and then learn by reading. That is why it is an indispensable tool. Without reading, education is impossible. What is more: without fluent, perfect reading with understanding, education is impossible. For me personally, reading was and is a fundamental issue. It gave me my first profession, it teaches me perseverance, it shows me patterns of how to cope in difficult situations, books are the subject of my conversations and understanding with children. That is why Bydgoszcz is enthusiastically and committedly joining the #CzytanieRządzi campaign!
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz
mayor of Gdańsk
Our citizens have the "right to read"; this means that we as rulers have the duty to ensure that every citizen is taught and encouraged to read - so that they are able to evaluate us and actively participate in civil society, so that they have the competence to enter into dialogue, so that we all are able to listen to and understand each other, this is extremely important - today more than ever in our memory.
Marcin Krupa
mayor of Katowice
Reading is looking at the world from the perspective of another person – their emotions and values. This is important to me, as the mayor of the city, but also to each of us – a parent, brother, sister, friend or neighbour. Thanks to reading, we build the ability to work in a group, because we understand other people better. In Katowice, we promote ourselves with the slogan "for a change". Let's change our lives through reading, because #CzytanieRzędzi!
Jacek Majchrowski
mayor of Krakow, UNESCO City of Literature
Reading gives us countless skills. It is worth emphasizing, especially in times when so many studies indicate reduced concentration levels of children and young people, that reading is a stabilizing activity. Studies indicate a huge positive impact of reading on the ability to concentrate, focus thoughts, and understand more complex texts. These are all extremely important skills for each and every one of us; I am convinced that reading helps us to simply do our job better. That is why Krakow, especially as a UNESCO City of Literature, is fully committed to the #CzytanieRządzi campaign.
Krzysztof Żuk
President of Lublin
As an academic lecturer who has been observing students for many years, I know that reading builds curiosity, encourages the mind to seek information, and discover historical truth. Reading exercises our logical thinking skills and is the foundation of both the humanities and technical and mathematical sciences. I deeply believe that increasing reading will translate into the personal success of each person, but also into a higher level of our learning. That is why Lublin is eager to join the #CzytanieRządzi campaign.
Hanna Zdanowska
President of Lodz
We want the citizens of our cities to develop, to build their competences, to be independent, thoughtful, critical. Let us emphasize: research has shown that reading is the foundation for the development of technical sciences and innovation. We encourage citizens to read for their own development, but also for the sake of economic development. Reading develops innovation, and without innovation there is no development.
Jacek Jaskowiak
the president of Poznań
The OECD PISA studies are very impressive, as they have shown that reading for pleasure has a greater impact on our educational and life success than our background – by reading we equalize our chances. In the context of the contemporary debate on the role of elites in old Poland, it seems to be the only right attitude, one could even say – a moral imperative, to intensively encourage all citizens to read. After all, this is a proven and free way to equalize chances and reduce the risk of exclusion of each and every one of us! Poznań sees a strong substantive justification for the campaign and is actively involved in #CzytanieRzędzi!
Konrad Fijolek
President of Rzeszów
Reading from a young age is incredibly important for the potential of our brain. It is worth talking about it loudly: studies have shown that reading and talking multiply synaptic connections in our brain, i.e. they really develop the potential of the human brain! This is fundamental, which is why Rzeszów is joining the #CzytanieRządzi campaign.
Piotr Krzystek
the president of Szczecin
Reading is important for many reasons. When talking about it, we should pay attention to elements that are not often mentioned – for example, the fact that reading fiction increases our empathy. Emotional intelligence, readiness to try to understand another person, competence in understanding their emotions – this is an unspeakably important issue in times of war and conflict. Szczecin residents, as citizens of cities on the border of cultures, appreciate this value perhaps like no one else. Let's read – if not for knowledge – then to better understand each other! Szczecin is fully committed to the #CzytanieRzędzi campaign. due to economic development. Reading develops innovation, and without innovation there is no development.
Rafal Trzaskowski
President of Warsaw
Reading is not elitist - it equalizes children's chances for success, eliminates differences in competence between people; it is not a game for humanists or artists, it is a democratic, freely available and simple way to increase the potential of each of us, not only on the job market. We all have free access to books thanks to a dense network of public libraries - I would like to warmly encourage all (not only) Warsaw residents to read!
Jacek Sutryk
president of Wrocław UNESCO City of Literature
Reading is one of the most important parts of the lifeblood of Wrocław, the UNESCO City of Literature. The reasons why we should all read are numerous; brain development, critical analysis, and better educational opportunities are often mentioned. Of course, all of this is very important. However, it is worth delving deeper into such a powerful campaign. Reading fundamentally enables us to live a better and healthier life. Just 6 minutes of reading lowers our stress level by 60%: our heart rate calms down, our stress level decreases. It works better than many medicines! Reading with a child builds their entire emotional, social, and professional future. There is nothing that would help us so much in life! That is why Wrocław is joining the #CzytanieRządzi campaign with absolute conviction