Can dancing prepare democracy for dystopia?
Watch our UNESCO Co-Chair of Dance and Social Inclusion, Professor Nicholas Rowe, give a fascinating TEDx talk entitled Can dancing prepare democracy for dystopia?
The TEDx talk:
“I hope an asteroid wipes us all out, so no one mourns me” - a seven‑year‑old’s words spark a deeper question - what if the real “end of the world” isn’t planetary doom, but a dystopia where culture stops evolving amid climate displacement?
Drawing from community dance in rubbish dumps, refugee camps, and his own shift from ballet to transilient arts activism, Nicholas argues that participatory arts education can teach us Sumud (steadfastness) to regenerate new cultures, democracies, and futures as up to 1 billion people face forced migration by 2050.
Professor Nicholas Rowe
In his role as UNESCO Chair of Dance and Social Inclusion Nicholas bridges the worlds of dance, community, and politics through research, teaching, and creative practice.
A graduate of the Australian Ballet School with a PhD from the London Contemporary Dance School, Nicholas has performed and choreographed internationally with leading companies including The Finnish National Ballet, Australian Ballet, and Royal New Zealand Ballet.
His work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and other global communities highlights dance as a powerful medium for social change and cultural dialogue.
Nicholas is the author of several acclaimed books and an award-winning filmmaker, exploring themes of creativity, cultural identity, and political expression in dance. His talks illuminate the intersection of art, politics, and community, emphasizing the urgent conversations around cultural hegemony and appropriation.
