Ikuo Hirayama,
Honorary Chair, 32nd InSEA World Congress 2008 in Osaka, Japan.
(Chairman of the Japan Art Institute, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Former President of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts & Music)

"Nurturing a Love for Beauty and Harmony"

I was very honored to be asked to serve as the Honorary Chair for the 32nd InSEA World Congress 2008 in Osaka, Japan. In this capacity, I will continue to do my utmost to promote international exchange and to foster art education.

In recent years, I have been taking every opportunity to encourage the United Nations and related organizations to be proactive in the preservation of national cultures. I have visited many places around the world, at times in the midst of armed conflict, to promote the protection of cultural properties and international exchange among different cultures, and to participate in various global conferences on this issue.

I did so because of my firm belief that art and culture is the single most important tie that binds people together the world over. Even during World War II, it was respect for culture that dissuaded the Germans to attack the ancient city of Florence. UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention clearly demonstrates humanity’s desire to protect our cultural and natural heritage, irrespective of location. The designation of the Complex of Koguryo Tombs in North Korea as a World Heritage site is an opportunity for the Japanese people to overcome various barriers as they gain a deeper understanding of their ties with the Korean people. Likewise it is highly significant that art educators from around the world should gather at this congress for InSEA ? which is closely connected to UNESCO ? to deepen their mutual understanding.

Beauty, which is the focus of artists and art educators, has the power to shape the future and can even cause the lotus of love and joy to bloom from the mud of hatred and sorrow. Nurturing an appreciation for beauty, both traditional and modern, is therefore essential in the education of our children. Never has imparting this sense of beauty, which affects the very heart of our children’s lives and emotions, been more imperative than today. The culture of beauty forms the foundation of individual character in every nation, and therefore art education must never be narrow-minded. Art teachers must work with teachers of other subjects to enhance children’s sensitivity and balance free expression with opportunities for art appreciation. While such a broad and all-embracing approach to teaching and studying art may seem unnecessary to some, I believe that it has the power to transform the lives of our children and create a world filled with harmony.

It is my sincere hope that those involved in art education will take this opportunity to broaden their views and join their counterparts around the world to explore ways to nurture this love for beauty and harmony.

Dr. Ann Cheng Shiang Kuo,
President of InSEA

As President of the International Society for Education Through Art (InSEA), it is my great honor and pleasure to invite art educators from around the world to the very special and well-organized 2008 InSEA World Congress in Osaka, Japan.

What makes InSEA unique in the world of art education, is that it is an international organization, a global network of those who believe that art education is advanced through international contact and exchanges. InSEA World Congresses bring together art educators from different countries, regions and cultures and provide opportunities for sharing, discussing, and deliberating on issues in art education
from international perspectives.

This conference is meant to inform and inspire our colleagues from all over the world. InSEA has its own longstanding tradition of international congresses. Every three years there is a large InSEA World Congress. The last one took place in Viseu, Portugal, March, 2006, and it was a most happy and inspiring one.

The InSEA World Council members and I are very anxious to attend the 2008 World Congress in Osaka, Japan. Those members who participated in the Viseu, Portugal World Congress have been greatly inspired by Dr. Fukumoto's very thoughtful invitation -- He Said: "SAVE MONEY AND ATTEND 2008 InSEA WORLD CONGRESS IN OSAKA, JAPAN" and we all do expect a super World Congress in Osaka in August, 2008.