As part of the Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity, UNESCO has launched (coinciding with last World Book and Copyright Day) a project linking Belgium, France and Senegal in an innovative type of partnership, aimed at promoting publishing and reading in Africa.

UNESCO, the distibutor Maxi-Livres and the Culture and Development Association have struck a deal which makes provision for a special sale using the Franco-Belgian network of Maxi-Livres bookshops during the last week of World Book Day. The profits from this sale have helped to finance a donation of books from African publishers to libraries in Senegal. Their transfer to the beneficiaries have been guaranteed by the Culture and Development Association (Grenoble) which has been active in Africa since 1960, where it has built up a vast operational network.

The ceremony took place in UNESCO Headquarters.