Culture Ministry’s social adaptation programmes during pandemic draw kudos from UNESCO

AMMAN — UNESCO has lauded the Culture Ministry’s programmes launched since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, notably the "Shaghafi" (my passion) platform. 

“Shaghafi” platform, launched by the ministry as part of its social adaptation programmes during the coronavirus pandemic, seeks to provide remote training on arts education. 

The ministry in a statement issued on Tuesday said that a total of 150 courses in various artistic fields have been shared and broadcast, including plastic arts, music, handicrafts, theatre, in addition to prose and poetry.

The UNESCO's report on the International Arts Education Week, held last May, highlighted the importance of arts in education and psychological support, lauding the ministry's “ability to adapt and optimise the technical advances to share and develop its message”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The international week has witnessed the participation of 1,382 individuals and organisations from 74 nations, including Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Morocco, Qatar, the UAE and Palestine.

The International Arts Education Week, broadcast via media, aims to increase the international community’s awareness about the importance of arts education and reinforce its cooperation by promoting cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and social cohesion.  

During the nationwide curfew, keeping the public at home, the Ministry of Culture had launched a competition titled “my talent from my home”, open to children between the ages of 10 and 14 and youth aged 15-25.

The competition aimed at investing in youth and children’s capacities, as well as channelling them towards useful activities, exploring talents and breaking routines.