International Conference Theatre/Drama and Inclusive Education
Drama in Education: where learning meets the soul. Where the body speaks, imagination blooms, and children find their voice. A space for empathy, critical thought, and transformation.
At the international conference “Theatre/Drama and Inclusive Education” organised by TENet-Gr and endorsed by IDEA (International Drama/Theatre and Education Association), which took place in Athens, I experienced three days of deep inspiration.
I participated in workshops that opened new paths of knowledge. I listened to passionate educators from around the world explore powerful new ways of teaching. My wonderful professor from Trinity College Dublin, Erika Piazzoli, moved us deeply with her project on displacement and belonging. I learnt, communicated, felt, and laughed.
Most of all, we had the great pleasure of listening to Professor John O’Toole, a global pioneer in the field of Drama in Education.
He reminded us of something fundamental: There was a time when children learned without schools because schools had not been invented. They learned to survive in challenging environments through art, science, play, music, dance, and painting. They learned about their history, their community, and how to navigate the world from stories.
In the Australian education system, this time is known as The Dreamtime.
Then… we built schools. We sat children down. Asked them to listen quietly. And… they got bored.
What if we reclaimed that deep, human way of learning? What if learning once again became joyful, expressive, and active? John O’Toole invites us to reimagine education through the power of Drama and Theatre.
Finally, he spoke about the modern monsters that prey on our children — systems that silence their voices, steal their joy, and suppress their creativity and free will. He called on us to resist. I made a promise to do just that.
Irene Zachariou
