UNICEF and Romanian Civil Society Promote Art Therapy
UNICEF and Romanian Civil Society Promote Art Therapy UNICEF Romania, the National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, the International Foundation for Child and Family (IFCF), and the „Art Therapy” Association will hold, on June 21-23, 2006, in Timisoara, the National Conference for Art Therapy Promotion, 2nd edition, to mark the completion of the Art Therapy national project and to enhance the formal status of art therapy as a recognized profession at national level. Participating in this debate-meeting will be professionals in the field of psychology, arts and social welfare. They will have the opportunity to share their professional experiences where art therapy has proved to be an efficient support method for people in distress, be they children, teenagers or adults. During the conference, two workshops will be also organized, conducted by Mrs. Marie Mireille, France – music therapy, and Mrs. Cornelia Pop and Mrs. Bogdana Sala – puppet therapy. This Conference is the second major event of a national lobbying and advocacy campaign (the National Art Therapy Project) aiming at raising awareness of the need for formal recognition and for inclusion of the profession - art therapist – in the Occupational Classification in Romania. The National Art Therapy Project was launched on November 1st, 2005, by the International Foundation for Child and Family in partnership with active institutions, organizations and associations in the field of art therapy and receives financial and logistic support from UNICEF Romania. In Romania, several thousand children and youth with disabilities or behavioral disorders, or living in penitentiaries or rehabilitation centers enjoy art therapy every year, with spectacular results. The art and psychology combination helps children to learn the art of living. Children acquire life skills, self-esteem and self-confidence, they become aware that they are not different from the others, and learn to relate better to society. „The usefulness of art therapy, not only for children and youth, but for the elderly too, is a proven fact. Formal recognition of the qualities of this type of therapy and, consequently, its promotion as a profession at national level is needed and ought not to be delayed”, said Mr. Pierre Poupard, UNICEF Representative to Romania. Contact persons:
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