Much attention has since been devoted to that day, internationally by television stations, radio, the press, libraries and, of course, the newer information and communication media.

Through the celebration of World Book and Copyright Day, UNESCO seeks to promote reading and publishing, and the protection of intellectual property, through copyright.

Persons of all ages are encouraged to discover the pleasure of reading, and to respect the contributions of writers to our immense literary heritage.

Increasingly, efforts are focusing on addressing the issue of intellectual property; also, on problems of access by developing countries, to the wealth of information available through books, and on the impact of the new information and communication technologies on the world of books.

In order to illustrate the importance of the ideals embodied in World Book and Copyright Day, I shall ask you to picture in your minds, the book chain.

The Book Chain
The book chain begins with literary invention - the conceptualisation and putting together of the ideas which will form the book. The author of a book is the first link in the book chain.

Other links in the chain are the publisher, the printer and the distributor of the book.

Then comes the reader of the book.
It is important to remember that the chain, which I have presented, starts with the author.

The importance of books is well known, and can hardly be overstated.

Books are fundamental means of access to information, and are a primary tool in education. Books are a bridge between civilisations, a source of development.

What is also well known, but less appreciated, is that books originate from the ideas of their creators. Books are the intellectual property of their creators.

There is no better way to express, tangibly, our respect for the intellectual property of writers, than by adhering to the copyright laws, which have been enacted to protect the assets of those writers.

Copyright is the exclusive legal right granted for a specified period, to an author, musician, or other producer of a work or to other appointed persons, to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic or musical materials.

Protection of writers against the unauthorised exploitation of their work, is an important component of World Book and Copyright Day. Such protection is a corollary of the first link in the book chain.

UNESCO therefore encourages countries to develop national policies with respect to copyright. Only then can writers be assured of a fair share of the revenue from their work.

The celebration, annually, of World Book and Copyright Day on the 23rd April, is an opportunity to reflect on the major contribution of books to our heritage - both the print, and the non-print heritage.

One of the essential functions of books is to serve education. Promoting books, and protecting their creators, are two sides of the coin for ensuring development through education.

In this era of major advances in new information and communication technologies, books present new opportunities and challenges for facilitating access to learning. Policy makers, librarians, teachers, parents must address the challenges, while exploring the vast opportunities which the technologies present for exploiting the wealth of information embodied in books.