Arts as alternative approaches in Education

A speech by the world renowned teacher Christopher Clouder at the University of Nicosia

Arts, as alternative approaches in Education, could largely contribute to the children’s pedagogy, according to Christopher Clouder, world renowned author, teacher, campaigner and speaker, who spoke at the University of Nicosia. Mr. Clouder is an expert on Social and Emotional Education, Creativity and Innovation in Education, Steiner Education, as well as many other educational and cultural subjects.

On the occasion of the one-century anniversary of the first Waldorf School, Mr. Clouder spoke about the development of Education during these past one hundred years, underlining the need to combine what “should” be happening with what is “socially existing” in order to maintain balance. The renowned speaker spoke in favor of more humane educational systems, which need to be regenerated from within. He went on to admit that there is no such thing as an ideal educational system and urged schools to become more “sociable”, in an attempt to teach children how to live together.

The event was organised by the UNESCO Chair and the Department of Education of the University of Nicosia, in collaboration with the Stavrodromi Waldorf Education. It was coordinated by Dr Alexis Petrou, Head of the Department of Education, Dr Emilios A. Solomou, Director of UNESCO Chair and Dr Michalinos Zembylas, Dean of the School of Economics and Management at the Open University of Cyprus, who imposed a series of intriguing questions on the topic discussed.