On behalf of the world wide membership of WAAE (The World Alliance for Arts Education) and the Presidential Council I write to celebrate the 2016 International Arts Education Week – May 23-29 – and to celebrate the significant contribution made by KACES to international arts education.
The 2016 theme of the International Arts Education Week is Arts Education for Sustainability.
GOAL 3 of the Seoul Agenda Goals for the Development of Arts Education: focuses attention on "applying arts education principles and practices to contribute to resolving the social and cultural challenges facing today’sworld". UNESCO reminds us that "Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is about enabling us to constructively and creatively address present and future global challenges and create more sustainable and resilient societies”.
The World Alliance for Arts Education calls on all arts educators to uphold and defend the place of arts education in this significant work. Let us make our work in arts education spirited, strengthening and supporting physically, mentally and emotionally. Let us make our contribution sustaining and uplifting.
In many cultures and times the Arts and education vibrantly tell stories of the tree that holds up the sky. Arts education is like that tree in affirming and confirming personal, social and cultural identities in a challenging world. The arts sustain and nourish us, help us bend without breaking. At this time of challenges we need the arts and arts education.
Robin Pascoe, Chair WAAE Presidential Council, President IDEA