President of ASSITEJ International, Sue Giles, updates us with a recap on ASSITEJ International, and why TNA is involved:

Theatre Network Australia hosts and supports ASSITEJ Australia which is the National Centre Member of ASSITEJ International – the global association of performance for, with and by children and young people. This membership association covers over 100 countries in the world with 75 National Centres and 5 International Professional Networks, each with their own membership. TNA has 167 members who are part of ASSITEJ Australia through their work and connections in the children and young people’s arts sector.

Australia has been a member since 1985 and we have had two Presidents, one vice President and a Treasurer as office bearers, hosted 2 world congresses and have had individuals and organisations  engaged in Global ASSITEJ events every year.  It’s an ever-growing, globally engaged and deeply passionate community that is about connection, networking and fighting for the rights to arts and culture for children and young people everywhere.

ASSITEJ International has been confirmed for a further 4 years of European Union funding for the strategic project Creating Cultural Equity 2025–2028.

Bright Generations
Generations Luminese is the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering in Marseille, France March 23 – 29 2025. Over 600 international delegates will attend this event including (so far) 5 Australians – from SA and WA. There will be an Asia/Oceania event to draw focus on the activities, works and initiatives and challenges in our region – and to have a party. If you are planning to attend please contact me president@assitej-international.org.

The gathering includes a sector dialogue on Cultural and artistic freedom.

ASSITEJ International Initiatives for Creating Cultural Equity
The Regional Cooperation Program supports the development of initiatives between National Centres in a region eg: professional development programs, festival collaborations, meeting and capacity building. We focus on regional movement and support.

The Impact of Crisis and the Role of Culture is an upcoming project that will build a database of practice in our sector, connecting those working in this field with members who need expertise, and spotlighting the growing need for trauma-informed practice in all our contexts.

ASSITEJ International has a ‘Green Team’, in charge of embedding sustainability in our sector and our association. ASSITEJ International also has an ‘Open Door Team’, in charge of embedding accessibility and inclusion in our practice and our events.