Constructing national policy for future generations: a design approach to children's books

Constructing policies that serve future generations requires approaches that are not only inclusive and forward-thinking but also grounded in the lived realities of their primary users, in this case, children. In 2023, the National Consortium for Children’s Books (NCCB) was established in Sri Lanka to address challenges in the children’s literature sector and fulfil national educational objectives. A central goal was the development of the National Policy for Children's Books (NPCB). This paper discusses the collaborative, design-driven approach utilized in formulating NPCB content, highlighting the innovative integration of design thinking into national policymaking. The process, structured through five iterative action research cycles, employed convergent and divergent thinking to identify systemic gaps, redefine stakeholder roles, and introduce specialized professional titles, such as ‘Art Director’, ‘Creative Consultant’, and ‘Editor’. Ultimately, a unified publishing framework was crafted, specifically tailored to Sri Lanka’s unique socio-cultural context, integrating fields like marketing, child psychology, design, and law to elevate the quality of children’s books. One major outcome was the identification of essential policy content, articulated under eight goals that encapsulate the principles and values guiding the creation and distribution of children’s books. This study illustrates the transformative potential of integrated design approaches within policymaking, providing a replicable model for similar global contexts. With the public review of NPCB launched in September 2024, this initiative represents a significant milestone in embedding design into the development of national policy frameworks towards a sustainable future.