DUBAI: The UNESCO World Conference on Culture and Arts Education kicked off this week in Abu Dhabi with more than 190 ministers of education and ministers of culture from around the world in attendance to discuss a global framework for culture and arts education.
The three-day event, which runs until Feb. 15, discusses seven themes: Equitable access to culture and arts education; quality and relevant lifelong and life-wide learning in and through cultural diversity; skills to shape resilient, just and sustainable futures; institutionalisation and valorisation of culture and arts education ecosystems; culture and arts education through digital technologies and artificial intelligence; partnerships and financing in support of culture and arts education; and monitoring, researching and data.
The second day featured a panel titled “Culture and Arts Education for a Sustainable Future.”
Lina Tal, a Jordanian actress and the director general of the National Center for Culture and Arts of the King Hussein Foundation, highlighted the importance of arts in education during the panel.
“Research shows that the exposure of theater, arts and drama in education for young people fosters critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration and communication,” she said in her speech. “These are essential 21st century skills.
“In the 21st century, our definition of human rights, our biases, and our understanding of what a human being is… these are problems that our youth are facing. So, having these skills are really essential for young people to deal with life,” she added.
“And how can we achieve that? Definitely not by only studying math and science. These skills are achieved by using the arts, mainly theater, dance and music.”
Tal, who is also an educator and a practitioner, also said that research proved that arts education has “decreased violence in schools.” “It makes communication between teachers and students much better and more at ease, it enhances their self-esteem and enhances their creative expression.”
However, Tel said that one thing that still needs to be worked on is “making theater also accessible to students who are in communities, villages and rural areas.
“Arts education in schools is only for the privileged. They exist in private schools, which are very expensive, but public schools, I dare to say globally, do not really offer arts education, let alone theater, dance and music.”
Aysha Yousuf AlSada attended the conference. (Supplied)
Aysha Yousuf AlSada, the awareness and cultural programs chief of the Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities, told Arab News: “Theater, dance and music have a great impact in enriching art and culture since they are important elements thereof. In fact, we can not talk about art and culture without referring to these three components.”
On the second day, the conference featured a panel discussion titled “Culture and Arts Education through Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence.” The session delved into the evolving landscape of culture and arts education, examining its response to, interaction with and anticipation of the influence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
AlSada, who was in attendance, said after the panel that “we have to move with prudence and diligence in using AI before judging its ability to enhance art and culture education and in order to avoid any negative effects if there is any.”
The opening ceremony of the event took place on Feb. 13 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Mohammed Khalifa Al-Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi and co-chair of UNESCO World Conference on Culture and Arts Education, said during the ceremony: “Building on a legacy of driving sustainable impact, we are proud to organize this strategic milestone event that fosters dialogue within the global culture and arts education landscape.”
“The framework for culture and arts education will provide a clear guiding reference for member states to drive this in and beyond school curricula,” he added. “Working closely with our partners at UNESCO, we are confident that the outcome of this gathering will lead to the adoption of the framework so that it can be cascaded by the member states in their countries.”
