1. What is Laureate na nÓg?

A laureate is a person deserving of award or distinction in a certain field. Na nÓg is a phrase in the Irish language, it means “the young” or “young people.” Laureate na nÓg is an exciting new project recognising the role and importance of literature for children. This unique honour will be awarded to an established and dynamic children's writer or illustrator for the first time in May 2010. During a two year term the laureate will participate in selected events and activities around Ireland

2. What are the aims of the Laureate na nÓg project?

The project has 5 key aims:

1. To introduce high quality children’s literature to a new audience of adults, children and young people.
2. To raise the profile of children’s literature in Ireland.
3. To increase media attention for children’s literature in Ireland and internationally.
4. To bring children’s literature into the mainstream conversation about books and literature in Ireland.
5. To build partnership and cooperation among various players in the children’s literature sector

3. How did the idea come about?

In 2008 and 2009 both Children’s Books Ireland and The Arts Council engaged in consultation periods to help define priorities for the sector. Each consultation identified increased attention for children’s books as a high priority. The idea of a children’s laureate was widely discussed as part of these meetings.

The appointment of the laureate was suggested in order to make very significant step in advocacy for children’s literature. It was agreed that the laureate could highlight the value of children’s literature and challenge any misconceptions about the scope, quality and impact of literature for children In late 2009 both The Arts Council and the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs committed to the project. At this time Children’s Books Ireland and Poetry Ireland officially joined the steering committee.

4. What criteria does the laureate need to meet?

The laureate needs to meet 5 key criteria:

1. The laureate can be a writer or illustrator with an internationally recognised body of high quality children’s writing and/or illustration.
2. He or she must have made a particularly significant contribution to the field of children’s literature in Ireland and have had a considerably positive impact on readers as well as other writers and illustrators.
3. He or she must demonstrate both eagerness and skill in engaging with children, young people, adults, and media and with the sector as a whole.
4. They should demonstrate an enthusiasm for promoting children’s literature in general.

5. How will Laureate na nÓg be selected?

A nomination and selection process has been put in place. Nominations have been invited from 111 nominating bodies from across Ireland.

You can see the list of nominating bodies here

Individuals were also invited to nominate. All organisations and individuals were asked to suggest no more than two authors and two illustrators as potential Laureates.

The steering committee, consisting of representatives from the Arts Council, Poetry Ireland Children’s Books Ireland and the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs establish a shortlist based on the published criteria.

A specially convened selection panel make the final selection of Ireland’s first Laureate na nÓg The panel includes expertise from the fields of writing and illustrating; libraries and and publishing.

6. When will we find out who the laureate is?

President Mary McAleese will announce the first recipient on Monday 10th of May. The laureate will deliver a keynote speech at Children Book’s Ireland's annual conference on 15th May 2010.

7. What will the laureate do?

The laureate will participate in three or four high profile events per year. The events will be carefully selected and planned to ensure they reach a wide and diverse audience throughout Ireland and internationally.

The laureate will be available to engage in public discourse about literature and young people, including participating in media events and opportunities.

The laureate will engage with young people around the role and what it means to them.

The laureate may define a particular focus for his or her term.

8. Who will administer Laureate na Óg?

Children's Books Ireland are the Project Manager for Laureate na nÓg. Children’s Books Ireland is the national children’s books organization of Ireland. The organisation is dedicated to ensuring that books are at the centre of young people’s lives by resourcing and supporting those who bring children and books together. Through leadership, innovation, advocacy and celebration, CBI creates awareness of the value and importance of books for young people.

As project managers, CBI is responsible for coordinating the nomination process, liaising with and participating in the Steering Committee as well as overseeing and managing all Laurate events.

9.What other organisations are involved?

Arts Council

The Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. The Council recognises that the arts have a central and distinctive contribution to make to our evolving society. The Arts Council works in partnership with artists, arts organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life. The Arts Council is a member of the Steering Committee for the Laureate na nOg project.

Poetry Ireland

Poetry Ireland is the national organisation for poetry in Ireland. Poetry Ireland is dedicated to developing, supporting and promoting poetry through Ireland, and committed to creating meaningful encounters with poetry for the public. Poetry Ireland is a member of the Steering Committee for the Laureate na nOg project.

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs focuses on harmonising policy issues that affect children and young people in areas such as early childhood care and education, youth justice, child welfare and protection, children and young people's participation, research on children and young people, youth work and cross-cutting initiatives for children. The current Minister is Barry Andrews. The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is a member of the Steering Committee for the Laureate na nOg project.

The Irish Times

The Irish Times is a daily broadsheet paper, first published in 1859. News reporting from throughout Ireland is accompanied by reports from a comprehensive network of foreign correspondents, as well as sports and business coverage, features and arts sections, lifestyle, jobs and property. The Irish Times is the media partner for Laureate na nÓg.

Eason

Eason & Son is the country’s largest book and stationery operator with 65 stores throughout the island of Ireland, employing over 1,000 people.  One of Ireland’s most recognised brands, Eason’s is operating in the country for 125 years.  Eason’s has a dedicated Children’s Book Department that is committed to providing Irish children with the best selection of books, access to top author’s, a stream of entertaining events and the latest information on trends in children’s reading. www.eason.ie