Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Concluding the UNESCO conference on culture and arts education in Abu Dhabi, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Minister of Culture, His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, introduced the adoption of the initial framework for arts and culture education.
The framework, the conference’s crowning achievement, is meant to bolster a global consensus around the nexus between culture and education, fostering integrated policies and actions for the inclusive and holistic development of individuals and societies.
In the concluding moments of the session, His Excellency expressed unwavering determination for action, and expressed his gratitude for the collective efforts of both governmental and non-governmental organisations, who showcased a joint commitment evident to advance arts and culture education.
Throughout the conference, participants emphasised the integral role of education intertwined with culture, focusing on anchoring relevance, resilience, and sustainable development in cultural capital and heritage. Discussions also focused on enriching the cultural education ecosystem, insights from diverse perspectives at local, national, and global levels. The conference also underscored the empowering role of arts education in breaking barriers, promoting ethics and sustainability, and inspiring positive change.
The conference’s side events further amplified the diversity of education and cultural resources, showcasing the creativity and effectiveness of arts education in shaping learners’ knowledge, skills, values, and behaviours to meet contemporary challenges.
Concluding Ceremony
Marking the end of the conference, a captivating performance of “Al Ahalla” unfolded. A traditional dance originating from the maritime communities of the UAE, “Al Ahalla” is a collective performing art, believed to have emerged during long pearling trips as a work song. Over time, this circular performance has seamlessly integrated with coastal “Ayyala” art movements, creating a truly emotive piece.
Al Ahalla’s haunting melodies and verses resonate with its unique origins, stemming from the efforts to alleviate homesickness during arduous pearling journeys. While shedding light on maritime cultural heritage, the plenary session emphasised the significance of participants sharing their experiences from the conference and aspirations for the future.
Young Talents Showcase Cultural Harmony
During one of the conference’s final plenary sessions, Roudha, one of the UAE’s spirited youth representatives, addressed the audience, stressing the importance of drawing inspiration from diverse cultures’ poetry and stories. The speaker highlighted the significance of teaching and learning about one’s own culture and the culture of others, asserting that genuine belonging is sensed before it becomes visible. Emphasising the need for patience and respect, the youth representative urged the world to listen and embrace its rich diversity.
Following this, a representative from Kenya took the stage with a dynamic freestyle dance, emphasising the importance of encouraging children to embrace diverse cultures. The speaker, passionate about utilising dance and art for social-emotional learning in educational settings, spoke about their commitment to positively impacting children in marginalised communities. His goal, he said, is to foster resilience, provide a secure environment, and equip children with the tools they need to thrive, aiming to alter the trajectory for the future generation.
Subsequently, a youth representative from Colombia delivered an emotionally charged performance, sharing how the music transports her to distant corners of their homeland. The performance evoked the rhythmic sounds of fishermen along the Caribbean coast.
The young performers, showcasing their diverse artistic and cultural talents, expressed the essence of the conference in their collective calls for governments worldwide to actively implement measures to ensure that every young child has access to a rich spectrum of arts and cultural education.
