Living books of India

Six years had oozed down to the endless ocean called `time`, since we first experimented Human Library, then known as Living Library.It was just an idea we got from a one paragraph news paper report in The Hindu..From the report we came to know about a festival in Buda-Pest where they use human beings as books for interaction and the aim was to remove prejudice.It was an exciting idea- `Human beings as books!`The very next day we applied the idea in our training centre.Little did we know that we have just started an exciting adventure in Indian education.

The basic concept of Human Library is quite simple.Everyone possess knowledge and if we are willing to `read` people we not only gather first hand knowledge from them , but in the process our prejudice against them too breaks away.Human Library owes its origine to Denmark, where mostly the organizers conduct Human Library festivals during which many `books` come forward to be `read`.The `books` are volunteers and they include various personalities from all walks of life.It was used as an effective tool to pluck out prejudices from the minds of people and spread peace and meaningful relationships.

Who is a `Living Book`?

"Most likely a majority of readers will find that Living Books are people just like you and me. But for different reasons they are subjected to stereotyping and prejudices. They are open about, who they are and prepared to share their experiences. That would be a short description of something that is exactly that and so much more. A Living Book is a person, that has chosen to be a public representative of a certain group. An example of how people can be, if only minds are open long enough to find out, who and what they really are. But before anything else, they are couragous people that stand by their convictions and are willing to discuss their values with others. As in books are most, they are wise" -from Humanlibrary Website.Human Library was founded by the organisation Stop Violance from Denmark.

LeadcapAnneFrank Leadership Village YLP

Anne Frank Centre has been seriously involved with the `Living Book` concept ever since its inception.Over the years many personalities across the world came forward and happily became part of this educational movement.Human Library has been introduced in three states of India by AFRC.A few serious papers too have been presented on Human Library and the education methods we developed here based on it.The joint leadership initiative `LeadCapAnneFrank Leadership Village` considers `Living Books` as a main instrument to develop leadership initiatives among the village children and youth. Many schools and colleges in the district of wayanad are now familiarised with the concept.The major attraction of Human Library is it is unconditional and is based on finer human values.

A report appeared on Human Library sessions organised by AFRC as part of Leadership Village training at Kaniyampatta Govt.High School.The report appeared on India`s national daily The Hindu.