Humanicy: The Human Side of Diplomacy

‘In the words of Aristotle, ‘the aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things but their inwards significance,’ from which we can see how both art and diplomacy can be intertwined to allow the genesis of Humanicy…The arts are an imperative channel of relaying messages of true conviction as there are no boundaries to expression in this form. This is how we can evolve into an era of unprecedented peace as it is not to be taught or learnt but only found by setting aside our differences and embracing similarities derived by art. The arts bring us to the edge of the precipice, with peace below, we need only take the leap of faith”

– Opening Address of the 2014 United Nation’s Humanicy Conference

On December 4^th 2014, TakingITGlobal was invited to take part in the United Nation’s Humanicy Conference in New York City. Developed by Ambassador Angelo Toriello, the Humanicy Conference was made possible by The Permanent Mission of Soa Tome and Principe to the United Nations in partnership with The Friendship Ambassadors Foundation. The Conference brought together artists, musicians, filmmakers, politicians and diplomats from around the world. The purpose of the conference was to examine the intersection between arts, diplomacy and heightened social consciousness. The two-day event was the perfect platform for us to share our youth’s AYV media pieces.

Our exhibit was placed in a key location in front of the entire assembly and was highlighted as a special event as part of the Humanicy Conference. The media pieces selected for the exhibit focused on a variety of issues including bullying, the environment, poverty, health and animal abuse. 

In addition to our AYV art exhibition, TakingITGlobal Executive Director, Jennifer Corriero, was invited to speak on one of the event’s Visual Arts Panels. The panel topic examined ‘What Moves Us to Take IT Global. From Arts to Social Action.’ Jennifer spoke of the importance of giving youth the opportunity and space to express themselves through art. She spoke of how TakingITGlobal through AYV has been able to reach thousands of youth worldwide to afford them this opportunity. Jennifer went on to discuss the importance of art and culture in helping shape communities and foster inclusion. You can check out Jennifer’s appearance on the panel by skipping ahead to 30min into this recording: http://webtv.un.org/search/part-2-humanicy-the-human-side-of-diplomacy-4-december-2014/3925710585001

There is a growing movement amongst educators and innovators around the world looking to foster the growth and significance of arts and culture in education. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on focusing on STEM education however many are now urging for the inclusion of Arts education as a part of STEM.

Don Simpson, Chief Explorer of the Renaissance Expedition, is an advocate of expanding STEM education into STEAM. The Renaissance Expedition seeks to find innovative ways to ‘stimulate among leading education reforming an interest in moving their major efforts from promoting STEM education towards STEAM initiatives. This involves the addition of the arts and cultural sector to recent increased focus by educators on the important focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. ‘

Humanicy host and Friendship Ambassadors Foundation Executive Director, Patrick Sciarratta, echoed these sentiments in his opening address of the conference: “‘Friendship Ambassadors Foundation believes the arts and cultural exchange are central to a heightened consciousness and better understanding of our truest natures across borders. I’ve long contended and put forth that STEM is useless without STEAM. I like to add the A into STEM, the A for Arts and more broadly culture. Why? Because why else create a society without appreciating it and without embracing its cultural values that are the reasons we build, create and share our many talents. “

Focusing on the issue of arts and diplomacy, the conference hosted a number of exciting events including a powerful performance of ‘If I Had a Hammer’ and ‘We Shall Overcome’ by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. Peter Yarrow spoke of his experience with the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s and how many of those struggles are still relevant in our world today. He spoke of the power of music and art to bring people together and help them find a way to overcome their hatred and differences.

Panel topics during the conference included discussions on ‘Arts as a call to Action,’ ‘Documentaries as a Catalyst for Change’, and ‘Music as a Note of Concern.’ The conference also included a special screening of the film ‘After the Fall: HIV Grows Up’ followed by a Q & A with Director, Founder & President of the Speranza Foundation, Kathleen Treat. The film told the hopeful yet heartbreaking story of survivors of the paediatric AIDS epidemic that swept Romania. 

The conference brought to light so many of the reasons why programs such as Adobe Youth Voices are so important. Many of the artists and filmmakers attending the conference spoke of how they wished they had been given the opportunity to be a part of a program such as AYV when they were younger. Not only was it a privilege for us to exhibit our youth’s AYV pieces at this extraordinary conference but it was also a powerful reassurance of how vital and significant the Adobe Youth Voices Program is to youth around the world today.

Thank you to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Sao Tome and Principe, and the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation for inviting us to be a part of Humanicy 2014!