"Empowering Economically Disadvantaged Kids through Education - Performing Arts Education" (WFWP Taiwan)
Written by: Amanda Tsai
On March 15, WFWP Taiwan hosted their second NGO CSW68 parallel event at the Drew Room of the Church Center for the United Nations. The theme was "Empowering Economically Disadvantaged Kids through Education - Performing Arts Education." Presentations focused on how storytelling and performing arts can help economically disadvantaged children boost their confidence, foster teamwork, and discover their self-worth.
This forum was hosted by Juliesette Hatulan, the UN representative of the Women's Federation for World Peace International Office for UN Relations in New York. Lih-Rong Wang, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Social Work at National Taiwan University, served as a special guest; the panelists including Aurélia Sellier, founder and president of the "What Dance Can Do" project; Weruche Uzoka, founder and president of "Weruche Inspires"; Ching-Chun Tseng, WFWP Taiwan’s young women representative; and social workers from the Taiwan Fund for Chidlren and Families.
Performance covers a wide range of art forms. Weruche Uzoka expressed the idea of storytelling, starting from childhood education, to break stereotypes about African people, dispelling misconceptions about Black slavery, and she explained how short reels in the internet age can help African Americans in the U.S. connect with the lives and cultures of their ancestral homeland, Africa.
Additionally, Aurélia Sellier shared the idea that dance not only promotes physical health but also enhances emotional and intellectual development, enhancing memory and decision-making abilities. Children and adolescents can gain confidence, joy, and a sense of accomplishment through dance, fostering optimism and hope for the future.
Volunteers from the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, Nai-Yu Chen and Zhong-Han Zhuo, filmed videos and presented in the forum, sharing their achievements and lessons learned through leading the talent cultivation program called “Dance Limit”. The young members of “Dance Limit” shared their growth and gaining after participating in the dancing program. Those young girls passionately pursuing their goals in dance which stimulates their spirit of perseverance and gratitude towards their families’ support, evokes the audience's emotions.
WFWP Taiwan's young women representative, Ching-Chun Tseng, shared how performing arts education can boost the confidence of economically disadvantaged children and led the on-site participants to make a statement.
An estimated 55 participants attended the event, including 10 men and 45 women from various countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Africa, Iran, Burkina Faso, and Colombia. An African-American woman in her 80s, with over 50 years of experience participating in UN CSW, actively provided feedback and expressed gratitude for the forum's theme, advocating for the importance of performing arts education while encouraging children to learn performing arts from a young age, nurturing them to become future leaders of the world.
WFWP Taiwan's Young Women Empowerment Program has received recognition both domestically and internationally since its inception in 2019. Over the years, it has trained three cohorts of outstanding young women who continue to participate in international affairs and shine on the international stage. WFWP Taiwan persisted in investing in the empowerment of young women for international participation, believing that young women are the leaders of the future who can demonstrate their strength, compassion, and influence in various fields.
Ching-Chun Tseng will be delivering an enlightening talk on May 26th in Taipei City, where she will delve into her personal journey and insights gained from participating in the WFWP Taiwan’s Young Women Empowerment Program. Additionally, she will share her invaluable experience in organizing an NGO CSW68 parallel event.
