Intercultural Awareness through

the ArtsPresented by Jamel Kaur Dhillon

Quote: JF Kennedy

“Life of the Arts, far from being a interruption, a distraction in the life of a nation – is close to the centre of a nation’s purpose and is a test of a nations civilization.”

Dya Singh @ The Parliament of the Worlds Religions 2009

InterACT Community Forum /Workshop in Regional Victoria with Council workers, musicians & teachers. June 2010.

What is Culture?

Some bits of culture we can see• Clothing• Language• Humour• Beliefs / Religion• Art• Sport• Music• Values• Rituals / Traditions• Kinship• Food• Dance• Body Language• Attitude

“An education rich in creative arts maximises opportunities for learners to engage with innovative thinkers and leaders and to experience the arts both as

audience members and as artists. Such an education is vital to students’ success as individuals and as members of society, emphasising not only

creativity and innovation, but also the values of broad cultural understanding and social harmony that the arts can engender.” - Ministerial Council on

Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs

Essential learning skills proven to be increased by arts and music include:

• Reasoning and problem solving• mathematics and language• lateral thinking and memory • time management and eloquence • social and team skills

One Tree Hill Primary SchoolJune 2010

““Matthew, the student with the anger problem had one such outburst the very next Matthew, the student with the anger problem had one such outburst the very next day but we observed that when he was seated in the office he immediately lifted day but we observed that when he was seated in the office he immediately lifted his legs and sat cross-legged on his chair, closed his eyes, placed his arms on his his legs and sat cross-legged on his chair, closed his eyes, placed his arms on his knees and started deep-breathing as he had been taught at yoga the day earlier. knees and started deep-breathing as he had been taught at yoga the day earlier. After a few minutes, he announced that he was fine … and since that episode he After a few minutes, he announced that he was fine … and since that episode he has not had another such attack of anger.” has not had another such attack of anger.” Principal, One Tree Hill Primary SchoolPrincipal, One Tree Hill Primary School

One Tree Hill Primary School are now doing a project across the school called “My Heritage”

Artist Professional Development Sessions , performance & InterACT dialogue & discussion sessions around Australia, 2010

Global CitizensDefinitions of Global citizens on the Web: Global citizenship applies the concept of citizenship to a global level, and is strongly connected with the concepts of globalization and cosmopolitanism. World citizenship is a related term which can be distinguished from global citizenship, although some may merge the two concepts .

http://www.abc.net.au/civics/globalcitizens/defaultie4.htm

Dear friend, Hello, my name is Myrindah, I am the captain of a special mission to circle the Earth in a hot air balloon. It is a mission designed to link children and teenagers around the world. Through the links we will create a new sense of global citizens who have pride in this beautiful planet and tolerance of all people.Our mission is to visit all continents and as many countries and isolated islands in our vast oceans as we can. This means we will visit over 200 countries. Our aims on this mission are to exchange cultural, civic, geographic and historical information, open communication channels between children and discuss ways and means to develop understanding about global citizenship. We believe that the more people who see the beauty of our planet through visiting places, seeing photographs, valuing civic and cultural achievements and recognizing the dignity and worth of all persons, the more people will join the push for the culture of peace and thereby help better the world for ourselves and our future generations. Each member of the crew will help you through the various phases. Each crew member will ask you to complete a number of activities. These activities, we hope, will help you learn about the world and learn to produce a good Internet site called Global Citizens, so you can also share your thoughts about our amazing world. If you have any queries or suggestions, send an e-mail to the project officer at: one.world@det.nsw.edu.au Yours in the United Nation's International Year for the Culture of Peace - myrindah - augusta - eurydice - patma - tendai - phoebe - so yong - chris - resources- for teachers - site map - text on this page © 2000 NSW Department of Education and Training © 2000 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

…It is a mission designed to link children and teenagers around the world. Through the links we will create a new sense of global citizens who have pride in this beautiful planet and tolerance of all people….

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toleration"Tolerance" redirects here. For other uses, see Tolerance (disambiguation).Minerva as a symbol of enlightened wisdom protects the believers of all religions (Daniel Chodowiecki, 1791)In a general meaning, tolerance is the ability to accept something while disapproving of it. In social, cultural and religious contexts, toleration and tolerance are terms used to describe attitudes which are "tolerant" (or moderately respectful) of practices or group memberships that may be disapproved of by those in the majority. In practice, "tolerance" indicates support for practices that prohibit ethnic and religious discrimination. Conversely, 'intolerance' may be used to refer to the discriminatory practices sought to be prohibited. Though developed to refer to the religious toleration of minority religious sects following the Protestant Reformation, these terms are increasingly used to refer to a wider range of tolerated practices and groups, or of political parties or ideas widely considered objectionable.[1]

What is the Importance of introducing school children to ‘multi-culturism’ through available ‘ethnic’ artistes?

Understanding & Acceptance

“Ignorance breeds contempt”

“Misunderstanding, fear & ignorance are the most prevalent causes of

bullying in the school yard.”

UNESCO last draft version of the development goals was formulated as

follows:• Affirm arts education as the foundation of a balanced

cognitive, emotional, aesthetic and social development of children and youth

• Strengthen arts education, including the experience of the arts and collaboration with artists within and between in-school and out-of-school education.

• Empower teaching and artist communities with sustainable arts education training.

• Promote and foster lifelong learning in, about and through arts education.

• Recognize and develop the socio-cultural well-being dimensions of arts education.

Culture Action Europe – A political platform for Arts & Culture...

• Support and enhance the role of arts education in the promotion of social responsibility, social cohesion, cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.

• Foster capabilities through arts education to respond to major global challenges, from peace to sustainability.

• Build capacities for arts education leadership, advocacy and policy development processes.

• Develop diverse arts education partnerships among various stakeholders and sectors, from culture to industry.

• Stimulate dialogue and exchange between theory, research and practice in arts education.

Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians.

Global integration and international mobility has increased rapidly in the past decade. As a

consequence new and exciting opportunities for Australians are emerging. This heightens the need

to nurture an appreciation of and respect for social, cultural and religious diversity and a sense of global

citizenship.

• Goal 1: Australian schooling promotes equity and excellence....all Australian governments and all school sectors must: ensure that

schooling contributes to a socially cohesive society that respects and appreciates cultural, social and religious diversity.

Goal 2: All young Australians become :

• Successful learners - who are able to make sense of their world and think about how things have become the way they are,

• Confident and creative individuals - who have a sense of self-worth, self-awareness and personal identity that enables them to manage their emotional, mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing - who develop personal values and attributes such as honesty, resilience, empathy and respect for others,

• Active and informed citizens - appreciate Australia’s social, cultural linguistic and religious diversity and have an understanding of Australia’s system of government, history and culture .... are able to relate to and communicate across cultures ...are responsible global and local citizens.