THE UNESCO CHAIR ON DANCE FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION INSTALLED IN UGANDA

Over the weekend on Saturday 4th January 2025, I represented the UNCC-ED and the institution at the installation of University of Kisubi as the new UNESCO Chair on Dance for Global Citizenship Education in Uganda.

The event that was presided over by Dr. James Isabirye, the Head Of Department for Performing Arts-Kyambogo University and Dr. Rosie Agoi, the Secretary General of UNATCOM-UNESCO attracted a number of distinguished leaders in Education and the Performing Arts Departments from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, University of Kisubi, New York University, House Of Talent East Africa, Ndere Cultural Centre, UNATCOM- UNESCO, UNCC among others. It was a beautiful sight and wonderful moment to see the audience filled with mostly DANCE ARTISTS AND PROFESSIONALS in one space talking DANCE!

The installed UNESCO Chair holder on Dance for Global Citizenship Education is Prof Jill PRIBLY is a long serving dance lecturer at Makerere University Performing Arts & Film and currently a Lecturer of Dance at the University of Kisubi.

The colorful installation event featured a keynote address delivered by Dr. Rosie Agoi, the Secretary General of the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO.

This was followed by esteemed and thought-provoking panel discussion on “Decolonizing Dance Pedagogy in Global Citizenship Education” by such both celebrated practicing and dance professionals including Dr. Steven Rwangyezi ( Ndere Centre), Prof Deborah Damast ( New York University); Dr. James Isabirye ( Kyambogo University); Dr. Bro Deogratious Mugema ( VC- University of Kisubi); Prof Jill Pribly (Co-Director NYU Study Abroad Program) and Dr. Alphadaniel Mabingo (Ag. HoD- Makerere University Performing Arts and Film) moderated by Grace IBANDA ( Artistic Director – House Of Talent East Africa).

What is the UNESCO Chairs Programmes?

The UNESCO Chairs Programme, launched in 1992, promotes global academic collaboration and solidarity among universities, facilitating knowledge exchange and best practices to enhance educational and cultural understanding.

These Chairs and Networks are essential to UNESCO’s education, sciences, culture, and communication work.

Educational and research institutions globally merge their efforts through this programme to confront critical issues and contribute positively to societal advancement. Often, these entities act as advisory bodies and connectors among academia, civil society, communities, researchers, and policymakers. They have been instrumental in guiding policy decisions, crafting new educational ventures, sparking research-driven innovations, and enhancing existing academic programs while celebrating cultural plurality.

In regions like ours where expertise is limited, the UNESCO Chairs and Networks become centers of excellence and innovation, not only enriching local capabilities but also fostering collaboration between the Global North and South. This initiative reinforces the exchange of knowledge and best practices across borders, enhancing global educational and cultural understanding.

The main goal of the Chair is to enhance research, share good practices, and raise awareness about the connection between tangible (physical) and intangible (cultural) heritage.
This includes highlighting the importance of traditional skills in preserving cultural heritage.

The University of Kisubi as the Chair on Dance for Global Citizenship Education aims to promote inclusive learning environments for secondary school students in Uganda and beyond through dance education, enhancing discussions on cross-cultural education.

This initiative involves collaboration between faculty and students from the University of Kisubi and partner institutions, including the University of Florida and the University of Pretoria.

The Chair aligns with the University of Kisubi’s mission to provide holistic, evidence-based education responsive to national and global needs.

The University of Kisubi is a chartered University founded in 2004 by the Registered Trustees of the Uganda Brothers of Christian Instruction.

In accepting the UNESCO Chair on Dance, Prof Jill presented the planned initiatives and collaborative opportunities that are coming with the UNESCO Chair that will be rolled out this year in June with a launch of a project that seeks to enhance the academic conversation on cross-cultural education, aligned with the Ugandan curriculum reforms in the Performing Arts, the Project will
empower students with practical skills while preserving indigenous cultural practices to include the decolonizing of dance pedagogy.

That’s the long and short of the installed UNESCO Chair that we should embrace and support given it’s aims and what it stands for especially in enriching local capacities and fostering collaborations.

Congratulations once again to the UNIVERSITY of KISUBI and indeed our very own Prof Jill Pribly on being installed as the UNESCO Chair on Dance for Global Citizenship Education.

I thought it worthwhile to share this new development in our art and culture sector for sharing is caring!
Will post this article on the UniK website under UNESCO