Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Education : International Jazz Day & Humanities






International Jazz Day
UNESCO

"The history of jazz tells of the power of music to bring together artists from different cultures and backgrounds, as a driver of integration and mutual respect. [...] Through jazz, millions of people have sung and still sing today their desire for freedom, tolerance and human dignity."

Irina Bokova, message

April is an awesome month ! So many good things to talk about. Today April 30 is the International Jazz Day.





International Jazz Day

Spurred by the success of the first two celebrations, UNESCO, in partnership with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz (TMIJ) is organizing the third International Jazz Day on April 30th, 2014. 
This day is destined to raise awareness in the international community regarding jazz’s virtues as an educational tool, as a vehicle for peace, unity, dialogue, and for enhanced cooperation between peoples. 


    After the UNESCO General Conference in November 2011, April 30th was declared International Jazz Day.



    Osaka Castle
    Chris Gladis / CC BY-ND 3.0

    Osaka is the official host city for 2014. Given its legendary history as "Japan’s jazz Mecca” in the early to mid-1920s, Osaka is an ideal choice to serve as the International Jazz Day Global Host City.
    Please watch the Day time Education Program, Osaka School of Music here
    The year 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of UNESCO Slave Route Project, consecrated to the theme, “Assume the past, understand the present, build the future together.” This constitutes yet another highlight of the event that the United Nations will surely support. Africa, whence jazz draws its origins, will thus be doubly honoured this year.
    In April 2012, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock and TMIJ spearheaded and organized the historical events which took place around the world. More than a hundred countries celebrated this day.



    The stamps, featuring three mini-sheets of twelve stamp
    designed by Sergio Baradat (United Nations)

    Education:
    Since 2011, this international day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about the art of jazz, its roots, its future and its impact. 

    Jazz in Music education has a new voice. The recognition of School of Jazz integrated in Schools of Music or as autonomous Schools of Jazz.





    American University Jazz Students

    This international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, respect for human rights and human dignity, eradicating discrimination, promoting freedom of expression, fostering gender equality, and reinforcing the role of youth for social change.

    Musicians, educators, students in Jazz schools from around the world can celebrate the music they teach and learn.

    They will embrace the opportunity to foster greater appreciation not only for the music but also for the contribution it can make to building more inclusive societies.

    Educational Initiatives:
    Educational initiatives promoting the history and presenting practices of jazz (origin and transformation, global spread, social inclusion, women’s empowerment, improving technique).




    Jazz Workshops/ UNESCO

    • Teachers (primary and secondary level) may choose to center part of their classes on jazz. Jazz music and jazz videos (concerts, fiction, documentaries) could be discussed;
    • Literary, artistic or video contests could be organized;
    • Special scholarships for jazz or jazz-related studies could be offered on the occasion of the Day or week;
    • Organize a classroom discussion on the origins of jazz;
    • Organize a classroom listening session - teachers can bring in a CD, or can log into a UNESCO Jazz Day website for further information;
    • Organize a classroom exchange/debate with other schools via the UNESCO associated schools network.




    Middle School students 

    What are you doing ?

    UNESCO invite students and schools from around the world to join in the celebration of "International Jazz Day" and submit a Report on the UNESCO website.

    You are free to chose the way your Jazz School or Music School will celebrate this fantastic day.

    You can choose your event and submit the Report by using an:
    • app (Android)
    • app (iPhone)
    • filling the form
    There is a Jazz day kit. You are free download and adapt to your needs:
    • Logos
    • Posters
    • Visuals
    Other Resources :
    • History;
    • Let's talk about jazz, The UNESCO Courier archives about jazz;
    • Video playlist from the 2013 International Jazz Day edition.




    Some thoughts :

    All the important events celebrated on April were about Arts and Humanities, except one, Girls in ICT Day.

    The ah-ah of the moment is coding in school education. In 2013 it was the MOOCs.

    ICT enhanced learning is essential in the XXI century. Right, no doubt. I was one of the first teachers to introduce ICT in Languages and Literature lessons. It aimed to deliver high impact in building digital competences in Languages curricula.

    But it is through exploration of the humanities that learn how to think creatively and critically, to reason, and to ask questions.

    "Through the work of humanities scholars, we learn about the values of different cultures, about what goes into making a work of art, about how history is made. Their efforts preserve the great accomplishments of the past, help us understand the world we live in, and give us tools to imagine the future."
    Stanford University

    Today, humanistic knowledge continues to provide the ideal foundation for exploring and understanding the human experience. 

    Humanities matter ! To listen and learn Jazz Music as well. Learning another Music style might help you gain an appreciation for the similarities in different cultures.

    Social media:

    You can visit UNESCO  on Facebook or International Jazz Day. On Twitter, hashtag #JazzDay and Google 


    "Jazz is so much more than music: it is a lifestyle and a tool for dialogue, even social change."

    Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO

    G-Souto 

    30.04.2014
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    Education : International Jazz Day & Humanitie by G-Souto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

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