IDEA Keynote addresses so far

Amusing how the captions don't exactly line up with the photos, but you'll figure it out. We've had a heck of a time getting computers here to do what we want them to, and they yell at us in Chinese when they don't want us to access our e-mail or put in a new post. So while I have this one's cooperation, I'll fill you in on the IDEA Conference.
The Keynote addresses so far are full of warnings and underlying tensions with government interference with education practices. The president of IDEA, called this a time of danger but said that the hope for the future lay in the hands of individuals who weren't waiting for their governments to do the right thing but were installing arts programs on their own full of innovations. He charged us to "change the drama of teaching and the theatre of learning to change the world." Social activism through theatre education is the flavor of the year. 4 years ago it was process drama (little emphasis on product).
The panel of teachers from China and Hong Kong gave a dismal picture of the education reform that has resulted in purely learning by rote for the test. Students are looking only to geting a job and few see a university in their futures. Teachers are afraid or forbidden to bring the arts into the classroom. Theatre is not seen as necessary to passing the test or getting a job.
The next day had a panel of educators from Sweden, Australia and Ireland who were examining where drama/theatre education should go in the 21st century. The Swede gave a clear history of movements in drama education that gave a foundation to the proceedings. The Aussie had great phoyos of comprehensive theatre programs throughout Australian schools (mandated!), but said that funding and support were now in danger and that teachers had to show the government how theatre is basic to new goals of education in preparing students for life. The 3rd speaker talked about drama as a medium to find beauty and to inspire students to learn more. He said that the applause and recognition received are hollow if unaccompanied by that epiphany of what made the dramatic experience beautiful. He spoke of Confucious - beauty through practices and Schiller - beauty in the dream of what could be. This panel was followed by a lively discussion of : we socially active enough in drama education? Process vs. Performance? How do we convince the powers that be that theatre is necessary in education? Panelist said, "Because drama examines the human condition, it should be part of the bsic curriculum."
There are delegates here fro Australia, Austria Bangladesh, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cuprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (distinction), Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Macau, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Singapore, S. Africa, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, U.K., U.S.A., Uraguay, and Vietnam among others that I couldn't hear over the applause.
Tomorrow I'll post about the workshops and performances. I saw the Children's Cantonese Opera Company yesterday!!!
Cheers,
Kate