McGuinness ‘makes space’ for creativity in education

Education Minister, Martin McGuinness has addressed an international conference on the cultural, artistic and educational needs of children and young people at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

The conference, called ‘Making Space’, provides a forum for exchange and dialogue between people working with children and young people through arts processes, and attracted 80 overseas delegates from 30 countries to Belfast.

Mr McGuinness said: “I believe strongly that harnessing the creativity of our young people holds the key to maximising their skills, talent and vision. The Executive has sought to ensure that creativity is at the heart of all our policies through the Unlocking Creativity strategy.

“I have long held that there is no section of our society where creativity is more evident than among our children and young people. My Department has striven to promote an education environment that brings about changes in attitudes, skills and knowledge of our young people. Imaginative new proposals for the curriculum are currently being considered to develop creativity through every area of the curriculum, in addition to the creative and expressive subjects currently included.

“As leaders and educators it is incumbent upon us to ensure that our young people are able to develop their creative talents for the future prosperity, peace, stability and well being of the world at large.”

The conference was also addressed by Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Professor Ken Robinson, Senior Advisor (Education) to the President at the Paul Getty Trust in Los Angeles.

‘Making Space’ is an international conference on culture, identity and the arts that provides a forum for exchange and dialogue between people who are working through arts processes with children and young people.

Organised by the British Council and Stranmillis University College the conference is a response to Unlocking Creativity - an inter-departmental strategy document launched by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Department of Education, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Department of Employment and Learning in November 2000. Unlocking Creativity is a co-ordinated strategy for the development of the creative and cultural resources of the people of Northern Ireland.

(MB)