Washington
Forum on the Future of Our Children
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
Meeting
Background:
The Forum was started in 2000 to bring people from various
organizations to:
* Communicate programs within the group
* Learn from each other's efforts
* Collaborate on future initiatives
Programs
Discussed:
1. Me in the New Millennium - Current theme of the Creativity Olympics scheduled
for summer 2003. The focus is on children and their personal interpretation
of the world as they see it through art.
2. Peace through Arts Program: Cyprus - Greek and Turkish Cypriotes, aged 14
to 15 are invited July 2002 to Washington, DC for a 3 week program of understanding/conflict
resolution through the medium of the arts. Currently work is focused on developing
a model program for peace using arts.
3. Creativity Olympics - The one-week program will feature daily activities
and invite country representatives to Washington, DC hosted by the young American
artists representing each state/territory. Multiple sponsors and volunteers
are needed for organizing this event.
Ideas & Comments
Exchanged:
* Concern for involving children with special needs to events - e.g. visually
impaired children could produce "tactile art". The government has
laws that require accessibility to events, which could possibly defer some
of the extra costs associated with accommodating the needs. Nevertheless, the
additional support would require expanding the need for special volunteers
* Collaboration with "America Sings" - Conference is also being held
summer 2003 in Washington, DC. Roger Tomhave's contact , its Director, would
potentially be interested in combining efforts to promote international peace.
* Suggestion to expand scope of Art Olympics - include categories for other
arts like poetry submission
* Expanding Accessibility of Arts Olympics - create a Digital Gallery, so anyone
unable to attend the events in DC may have a virtual experience
* Adopt a Country - expand the idea of adopting a library to help provide financial
support for countries that may not be able to finance a trip for its representative
to the Arts Olympics. Promote through ChildArt magazine
* ChildArt themes - Create an Issue featuring "Art & Indigenous People." Include
homeless American children as a topic for "Refugee Art"
* Recruiting Volunteers - Though the Event Management Program, Alice Conway
may be able to identify potential qualified candidates that require a number
of volunteer hours at a project to qualify for certification
