Dr Manca Košir from Ljubljana

"If we don't start celebrating the joy of reading, and if reading does not become more social, it will not survive," Dr Manca Košir, recipient of the award for outstanding achievements in promoting a reading culture in Slovenia, is convinced. In public and as a university teacher she constantly emphasises the importance of education, reading and learning for personal and professional growth. She publicly advocates establishment of the principles of openness of and access to education, cultural resources and programmes intended for self-development. Another possibility open to everyone is the chance to become infected with "the reading virus", and so in recent years, Manca Košir has in different environments been ardently encouraging the public to read literature, to learn, and to make reading a social activity. She has worked since 1999 with the Slovenian Institute of Adult Education in promoting a reading culture among adults within the Reading with Manca Košir study circles project. She lectures to mentors, participates in public events, and communicates with lovers of literature. She emphasises that reading and social reading can contribute to personal development, to a qualitative shift in the community, and to active citizenship. Manca Košir describes herself as follows: "I decided on a teaching and journalism career because I love people and I want to do something for them. In short, I'm a typical activist or socially engaged worker. At a time of rampant capitalism and morbid individualism, this is an unusual attitude to life, and one that many people mock. But that attitude is me. Working with people and for people enriches and satisfies me."