Arts for Social Development event at the Swedish Institute in Athens

The Swedish Institute in Athens recently organized a workshop under the title, ” Arts for Social Development”, with the support of the Swedish Embassy and EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture).

The workshop was led by:
LIVSTYCKET, B. Notlöf, Sweden
Livstycket Kunskaps- och designcenter
ARSIS, A. Antoniou, Greece
ARSIS- Association for the Social Support of Youth
ANASA, M. Afolayan, Greece Anasa Cultural Center
QNUSHYO, Ö. Cetrez, Turkey

An exhibition of artwork by NGOs was also part of the program.

In her opening remarks the Ambassador of Sweden Mrs. Charlotte Wrangberg outlined the purpose of the event as being threefold: 1) Providing a forum by connecting organizations, working with minority groups, 2) Raise awareness about the Arts for Social development and 3) Show that social entrepreneurship is possible, and that it can be a powerful tool for the most excluded. She further stated her firm belief that social entrepreneurship “can also become a powerful agent of social change – arts no longer exist only in concert halls, theatres and exhibition galleries”.

LIVSTYCKET with its dedicated work in the field for 24 years described how through arts, craft and language learning succeeded in supporting integration for immigrants, refugees, and other minority groups. Same optimistic stories where shared by the other NGOs and future challenges and exciting potentials where discussed in connection with the presentations.

This important collaboration was concluded with a gathering of the partners at the Swedish residence to reflect on lessons learned and future steps.

TEXT/PHOTO: Sofia Keramida (from left: Swedish Institute Director Mr. Arto Penttinen, LIVSTYCKET Mrs. Birgitta Notlöf and Ambassador Charlotte Wrangberg)