Author: International Congress of Educating Cities

Publication Year:

Media Type: Report

Summary:

This publication provides summaries of all the Congress presentations, with the focus on urban projects presented by delegates in the workshops. It is hoped that the mission of the Congress to foster communication and sharing between cities will continue as member cities use this document to familiarize themselves with international projects of interest and then utilize the delegate directory to contact and pursue issues of common concern with others who attended. (from abstract)

Abstract:

The International Association of Educating Cities was founded in 1990 as a city of Barcelona initiative to open dialogues between cities around the world. It has expanded to over 100 member cities and has convened a Congress every two years for representatives of city governments to exchange ideas and work together on global projects with educational purposes.

The 4th International Congress of Educating Cities convened in the city of Chicago on September 24, 1996. Almost 1,000 delegates from 241 cities and 34 countries attended this Congress. Approximately 220 programs reflecting the theme of The Arts and Humanities as Agents for Social Change were featured in workshops, roundtables and video presentations. Given the scope of the conference, many delegates had to make difficult decisions regarding which interesting presentations they would attend.

This publication provides summaries of all the Congress presentations, with the focus on urban projects presented by delegates in the workshops. It is hoped that the mission of the Congress to foster communication and sharing between cities will continue as member cities use this document to familiarize themselves with international projects of interest and then utilize the delegate directory to contact and pursue issues of common concern with others who attended.

While there were many activities that enriched the Congress before and after the formal agenda of workshops and lectures, the conference itself was divided into three days of presentations. Each day encompassed a sequence of keynote addresses by internationally respected speakers, workshop presentations and evening roundtable discussions. Participants celebrated the Congress with a closing ceremony on the third day.

The Arts and Humanities as Agents for Social Change theme was explored from a different perspective on each of the three days, revealing how cities around the world address a wide array of urban problems and challenges through the use of cultural programming. Delegates discovered that virtually every municipal issue, from economic regeneration to urban safety was addressed successfully in part with an arts or humanities program. Many projects were national or regional in scope and most programs had multiple objectives, recognizing that urban problems are often interrelated and solutions must be holistic in nature.

Cultural programming, which encompasses education, economics, public health and the arts, was shown as an expansive tool for effectively bridging the divisions that separate individuals and communities. Given the complexity of the model programs, many of the features projects could easily have been presented on more than one workshop day. To give the Congress coherency and to focus discussion on critical social issues, the first day of the Congress was devoted to programs that addressed the special needs of youth , with the understanding that the future of our cities is dependent on the health and well-being of our children.

Day two of the Congress featured programs that reduced alienation between diverse urban groups and established common ground to create communities that serve the needs of all residents. The final day of the Congress revealed model programs that regenerated or revitalized communities through civic partnerships and programs that used the arts and humanities as fundamental elements of their urban strategy.

CONTENTS:
Welcome Letters:
     The Honorable Richard M. Daley, Mayor City of Chicago.
     Lois Weisberg, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

Introduction.

Day One: Youth.
     Opening Ceremony and Featured Speakers on Youth.
     Keynote Excerpt: Dr. John Brademas.
     Keynote Excerpt: Wynton Marsalis - "Jazzed for the Future".
     Workshops on Youth.
     Roundtable Sessions.
     Video Theatre.

Day Two: Diversity.
     Urban Quilt: Distinguished Speakers on Diversity.
     Workshops on Diversity.
     Roundtable Sessions.
     Video Theatre.

Day Three: Community.
     Degas Exhibit.
     Workshops on Community.
     Closing Ceremony.
     Farewell Reception.
     Chicago Art Adventures.

Index of Workshops.
About International Association of Educating Cities.
Index of Presenters.
Acknowledgments.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Cultural Diversity, Arts Education