The new structure will study reading as an important socializing factor, draw up recommendations, develop new forms of work adjusted to today’s realities, and popularize reading especially among young people. The Book Publishing Council at the IAAS will play a special role in this work. Speaking at the plenary meeting of the 11th Session of the Council on Book Publishing, Vladimir Gusakov, Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus, head of the International Association of Academies of Sciences, said: "Currently, the Book Publishing Council at the IAAS promotes innovative approaches, new ideas, contributes to the research space and research prospects, and, equally important, facilitates dialogue between the professional community and the mass audience."
On 26 February 2019, a ceremony to celebrate the winners of the Likhachev Award Contest of the International Association of Academies of Sciences was held. Vladimir Gusakov handed diplomas and medals to the winners. Thirteen researchers from Russia and Belarus were honored for the best scientific works that have made a major contribution to the national culture, science of book, study of history, theory and contemporary issues of book culture. The contest is held every three years.
The participants of the 11th Session also reviewed the tasks of the Book Publishing Council at the IAAS in modern conditions, discussed research directions and scientific events under the auspices of the IAAS, including the 5th International Scientific Conference "Berkov readings. Book culture in the context of international contacts".
The international Association of Academies of Sciences was established in Kiev in 1993 to provide interactions between Academies of different countries. In 2017 the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus assumed organizational and methodological functions of the association. Academician Vladimir Gusakov, Chairman of the NASB Presidium, was elected head of the International Association of Academies of Sciences. The IAAS Council is the supreme governing body of the IAAS. As of January 2019, the IAAS included 15 full-fledged and 8 associate members and operated 19 scientific councils.
More information about the IAAS can be found at http://www.int-maan.by
