Culture and Arts Education in Crisis Contexts
Launching the Art to Face Observatory
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ββIn the context of UNESCO Culture and Arts Education Week (25-31 May 2026)
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π 27 May 2026
π 18:00 (UTC+2, Paris)
π» Online webinar (live, with recording available)
About the webinar
Organised in the context of UNESCO Culture and Arts Education Week (25–31 May 2026), this international webinar marks the launch of the Art to Face Observatory, a new platform dedicated to advancing arts, culture and education in contexts affected by conflict, crisis and post-conflict reconstruction.Across these contexts, artistic and cultural practices play a vital role in supporting education, psychosocial well-being, cultural continuity and peacebuilding. Yet these initiatives often remain fragmented and insufficiently visible at the global level.
The webinar will open with Albane Buriel and Teresa Torres de Eça introduction, and contributions from Maria Mathilde Stoleroff and Paula Braungart from UNESCO, introducing the Culture and Arts Education Week and the new framework.
Guest speakers
Sara Hommel
Independent Consultant
Arts-based MHPSS for Children, Caregivers and Educators
Sara Hommel is an international consultant advising universities, foundations and INGOs on multi-sectoral MHPSS, education and public health projects. She will present how arts-based approaches can be integrated into education systems to support the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children, families and educators.
Joel Bergner
CEO and Co-Founder, Artolution
Building Community Through Art-Making in the Rohingya Refugee Camp
Joel Bergner is a mural artist and organiser of community art initiatives with conflict-affected and marginalised communities worldwide. He will share insights from Artolution’s work with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, highlighting how participatory art programmes support well-being, social connection and community resilience.
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Ammar Bamatraf
Founder and President, Socotra Planet Organisation
Socotri Heritage: Identity and Opportunities
Ammar Bamatraf is a creative producer and cultural activist working on heritage preservation in Yemen. He will present his work in Socotra Island, focusing on the role of arts and civil society in safeguarding cultural heritage in an isolated and fragile context, and on the development of a UNESCO- and EU-supported Creative Hub.
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Gaël Conan
Regional Director Middle East, Libraries Without Borders
The Daraya Library Rebirth: Culture as a Tool for Peace
Gaël Conan works with Libraries Without Borders to support access to education and culture in crisis contexts. He will present the reconstruction of the Daraya library in Syria, a community-led initiative promoting access to knowledge, cultural life and social cohesion after years of conflict.
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About the Art to Face Observatory
The Art to Face Observatory is an international initiative dedicated to connecting actors, documenting field-based practices, strengthening dialogue, and supporting research and advocacy around culture and arts education in emergency, conflict and post-conflict contexts.
The session will also introduce the Observatory’s thematic working groups and upcoming global mapping initiative, while inviting participants to contribute to a growing international community of practice.
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Open to all
This webinar invites participants to explore how arts and cultural education can contribute to education, resilience and social connection in crisis contexts, while connecting with practitioners and initiatives from around the world.
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Here is the ZOOM link to participate !
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