IDEA History

IDEA was formed at the first congress held in July 1992 in Oporto, Portugal.
Working parties developed the constitution and the congress elected Maria van Bakelen as the first President.
The association was registered in Portugal in 1994 and the three official names (reflecting the three languages of IDEA) are:
       International Drama/Theatre and Education Association
       Association Internationale d’Art Dramatique/Théâtre et Éducation Asociación
       Internacional de Drama/Teatro y Educación
A fuller history of IDEA is in preparation by Tintti Karppinen (tintti.karppinen@welho.com) who would welcome any reflections and remembrances to add to the story of IDEA.

IDEA Congresses have been held every three years since 1992:
1995 Brisbane, Australia hosted by Drama Australia; 1998 Kisumu, Kenya, hosted by KDEA; 2001 Bergen, Norway, hosted by LDS; 2004 Ottawa, Canada, hosted by Theatre Canada; 2007 Hong Kong SAR China, hosted by TEFO; 2010 Belém, Brasil hosted by ABRA; 2013 Paris, France, hosted by ANRAT.
The next congress is planned for 2016 in Ankara, Turkey.
 
IDEA has long advocated for drama, theatre and education through meetings, congresses, publications and interchanges of people. IDEA knows no boundaries and encourages the development and support of drama and theatre as being integral to a full education.
 
IDEA is a member of the World Alliance for Arts Education (WAAE) joining with the World Dance Alliance (WDA), the International Society for Music Education (ISME) and the International Society for Education through Art (InSEA).
The WAAE sprang from responding to UNESCO’s interest in arts education and the Road Map for Arts education that emerged from the First World Conference on Arts Education in 2006 held in Portugal.
 
Since then in 2010 in Korea, UNESCO developed and endorsed the Seoul Agenda for Arts Education. WAAE has organized Arts Education summits in Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, UK and Finland.
 
In its own right, and through WAAE, IDEA has been an active participant in raising awareness of the arts – and drama in the arts – for all students.

A short history of IDEA (Click here)

Prepared by Stig A. Eriksson (former IDEA Elected Officer. Based on presentation at IDEA2013.