About

This independent, non-profit, non-political organisation began as the Asia Pacific Dance Alliance in Hong Kong in 1988. In 1990, the global body, World Dance Alliance (WDA), was founded at the Hong Kong International Dance Conference, organised by the WDA’s founder Carl Wolz. In 1993, the name of the Asia-Pacific Center was changed to WDA Asia-Pacific to reflect its relationship to the global body. WDA Asia-Pacific is one of the regional centers that make up WDA Global. The other region is WDA-Americas. WDA Europe is in the process of being re-formed.

The WDA Global Executive consists of representatives from all regions of the World Dance Alliance, led by Secretary-General Prof. Mohd Anis Md Nor. The World Dance Alliance holds Global Assemblies every three years.

WDA also has partnerships with other international organisations, including the World Alliance for Arts Education (WAAE), International Dance Committee of International Theater Institute ITI /UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), Dance and the Child International (daCi), and the International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM).

Mission

WDA Asia-Pacific serves as a primary voice for dance and dancers throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and encourages the exchange of ideas and the awareness of dance in all its forms.

Goals

  • To promote the recognition, development and mutual understanding of all forms of dance.
  • To facilitate communication and exchange among dance individuals, institutions and organisations interested in dance.
  • To provide a forum for discussion of matters relating to dance.
  • To encourage and support the research, education, criticism, creation and performance of dance.
  • To liaise, co-ordinate and participate in activities with other dance organisations in the world.

Chapters

Organizations or institutions within a regional center may become Chapter members, providing information and coordinating the dance activities within their boundaries. They are important points in regional and global communication and networking. These Chapters propose and implement projects, which address not only the general goals of WDA and WDA-Asia Pacific, but also the specific needs of the local dance community. See the list of Country Chapters here.

Networks

Based on specific areas of interest, these Networks focus the activities of WDA and WDA-Asia Pacific. They include:

  • Education & Training
  • Research & Documentation
  • Creation & Presentation
  • Support & Development

Objectives

  • To promote the recognition, development and mutual understanding of all forms of dance.
  • To facilitate communication and exchange among dance individuals, institutions and organizations interested in dance.
  • To provide a forum for discussion of matters relating to dance.
  • To encourage and support the research, education, criticism, creation and performance of dance.
  • To liaise, co-ordinate and participate in activities with other dance organizations in the world.