Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UNESCO World Conference on Culture and Arts Education 2024, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), promises to illuminate the way forward, laying the groundwork for a future where education and culture intersect to create a more inclusive and harmonious world.
Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday, UAE officials highlighted the event's importance as a beacon of collaboration, aiming to forge new pathways in arts and culture education worldwide with adoption of a common framework.
"We hope that this conference will be a promising starting point for shaping future pathways in culture and arts education across the world," said His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and co-chair of UNESCO World Conference on Culture and Arts Education 2024.
His remarks were made during a plenary session on the first day of the conference, announcing the adoption of the rules of procedure for the world conference and its agenda, along with the election of its chairpersons, vice-chairs, and rapporteur.
His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi and Co-Chair of UNESCO World Conference on Culture and Arts Education, highlighted the importance of this conference as a well-timed assembly, uniting "passionate individuals" who are committed to fostering creativity and recognising the profound social influence of arts and education.
"The transformative power of culture and the arts in shaping minds, fostering inclusivity, and building bridges across communities is a cause that resonates deeply within me and resonates deeply within each and everybody here. We are all here together to find solutions for a greater tomorrow, a tomorrow that is focused on education for all and culture for all," he said.
The World Conference on Culture and Arts Education is expected to result in the consensus adoption of a forward-looking framework for culture and arts education on February 15.
"As we embark on this intellectual, cultural, artistic journey together, my commitment is to facilitate a space where ideas flourish, where the richness of cultural diversity is celebrated, and where the collective wisdom of our participants converges to a chart course for the future cultures of arts education," Al Mubarak noted in his address.
The three-day conference features a wide range of plenary and parallel thematic sessions convening various educational actors from across the globe to share their perspectives on arts and culture education. The conference agenda also comprises an array of side events, including performances and interactive exhibitions that offer visitors a glimpse of the UAE's diverse cultural heritage.
