The Global Conference on Cultural and Arts Education, which took place in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates from February 13 to 15, 2024, was a major event for Ministers of Culture and Education from 125 Member States of UNESCO. Among the participants, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was represented by its supervisory minister, Catherine Kathungu Furaha.
At this conference, a global framework for cultural and artistic education was unanimously adopted. This framework aims to give a greater place to cultural and artistic education in teacher training, to further promote local and indigenous heritage and cultures, as well as to recognize artistic and cultural skills within the professional world.
Several Ministers of Culture from around the world were able to attend the event, also in the presence of the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay. The Congolese Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education, Tony Mwaba Kazadi, also participated in the conference from the DRC.
Congolese Minister Catherine Kathungu played a leading role by co-chairing the global conference and speaking on three different panels. She pleaded in favor of promoting places of memory and history, such as historical and archaeological sites, highlighting the importance of the caravan route which connects different civilizations and continents. She also stressed the need to promote art and culture, while addressing issues related to copyright and related rights. Finally, she advocated for the creation of a Rumba conservatory, in order to preserve this form of artistic expression and transmit its heritage to young Africans.
The world conference on cultural and artistic education helped to highlight the importance of these areas in personal and societal development. The adoption of the global framework is an important step towards better integration of cultural and artistic education into education systems around the world. This will promote artistic and cultural know-how, develop the creativity of individuals, and promote better understanding and tolerance between cultures.