THE INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL ARAB CHILDREN CONGRESS (ACC)

History

The annual International Arab Children Congress was initiated by Her Majesty Queen Noor Al Hussein following the 1980 Arab Summit Conference in Amman. Her Majesty wanted to give youth age 14-16 the same opportunity as Nations Leaders to express their needs and aspirations and to be heard by decision makers in the Arab world. The ACC is a program that gathers 4 youth from each Arab country for a week of visiting, learning and cultural interaction especially designed to promote peace, understanding tolerance and solidarity.

Organized by The National Center for Culture and Performing Arts (PAC) of King Hussein Foundation, the first Arab Children Congress was held in July 1981. The ACC is considered to be the longest uninterrupted cultural gathering of Arab youth and has been held for the past 27 years under the patronage and care of Her Majesty Queen Noor Al Hussein.

AECS participation in the Congress

The ACC is a thematic event that utilizes creative activities to tackle global socio economic issues that impact the quality of life of Arab youth. In 2004, the ACC commenced hosting participants from non Arab countries thus expanding the congress to become a valuable international event that contributes in bridging cultures, overcoming stereotypes and raising awareness on democratic principles and human rights.  

AECS sends international delegations to participate in the International Annual Arab Children Congress. 

Objectives

• Spread awareness about human rights and children rights through the congress activities and the media.
• Bring together youth from different countries to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas, in order to forge bonds of friendship between them, while fostering activities, reflection and action in favor of peace, cross cultural understanding solidarity and tolerance.
• Shed light on common problems facing children and youth in the world.
• Call for social protection measures for children from exploitation, labor, social protection and the effects of war.
• Mobilize support from different sectors of society for human rights with emphasis on child abuse and encourage broad participation in initiatives.
• Promote and encourage children’s talents and develop their creativity in the artistic and cultural fields such as, drama, dance, music and songs, poetry and visual arts.
• Provide decision-makers with the aspirations, recommendations and declaration of the participating youth in the ACC. 

THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR CULTURE AND PERFORMING ARTS (PAC)

The National Center for Culture and Performing Arts (PAC) of King Hussein Foundation was established in 1987, by Her Majesty Queen Noor Al Hussein, with the aim of developing an understanding the awareness of the value of the arts in all levels of education and social development; promoting and developing cross cultural understanding and peace building; providing a working environment conducive to creativity, leadership and innovation and ensuring that culture and art is accessible to all. It has brought theatre and dance into the lives of countless Jordanians by providing children and youth with professional training in theatre and dance and the opportunity to express their needs and aspirations freely and creatively. The programs are accredited by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, the Jordanian Ministry of Education and The Royal Academy of Dance in Britain.

Due to the reputable achievements and programs throughout the years, PAC was selected as the Middle East regional partner by The Danish Center for Culture and Development (DCCD) that aims to network various organizations in the Levant area with Scandinavian organizations to create bridges of communication & exchanges of experiences.

PAC is a full member of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ), an organization that includes 80 countries from all over the worlds; an active member of The International Association for the Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean (BJCEM) which was founded in July 2001 in Sarajevo, during the X Edition of the Biennial with the aim of strengthening the relationships between Europe and the Mediterranean area and a member of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between cultures.