UNESCO Message

Message from the Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Arts Education Week 2020

In recent times we have been witnessing the incredible power of human creativity.  Across the globe, the Arts are proving to be a powerful antidote to confinement, an outlet to express feelings and, above all, one of the most universal ways to share, uplift, and express solidarity.  Creativity builds the resilience we need in times of crisis.  It has to be nurtured from the earliest age to unlock the imagination, awaken curiosity, and develop appreciation for the richness of human talent and diversity.  Education is the place where this starts.  In an unprecedented context where up to 91% of the world’s students are affected by school closures, more than 90% of museums have closed their doors, and artists around the world are unable to make ends meet, International Arts Education Week takes on special significance.  Everywhere, we have seen arts education programmes and activities nurture connections between people and communities.  These initiatives sustaining learning during school closures are inspiring hope in the face of adversity, breaking a sense of isolation, and helping learners develop self-awareness, resolve inner conflicts, and heal from loss. 

International Arts Education Week is an opportunity to promote learning with and through the  arts to improve the quality and relevance of our education systems, and nurture creative thinking and resilience.  UNESCO – as the only United Nations agency with a core mandate encompassing culture, heritage, arts, creativity, and education – is committed to fully harnessing the potential of both culture and education.  On this day, I  call upon  everyone to join us in celebrating International  Arts Education Week.

Audrey Azoulay