This project advances UNESCO’s global strategic objectives of “promoting the drafting and implementation of standard setting instruments in the field of culture” as well as “protecting cultural diversity and encouraging pluralism and dialogue between cultures and civilizations”. Performing Arts are currently being used within the scope of the following two UNESCO Asia-Pacific programmes:

Post-Tsunami Rehabilitation Using Traditional Performing Arts in the South and South-East Asian Sub-Region

HIV/AIDS Prevention Using Traditional Performing Arts

In this context, UNESCO's Regional Office for Culture in Asia and the Pacific is closely collaborating with the Asia-Pacific Performing Arts Network (APPAN), which was established in 1999. APPAN is a network for promotion and co-operation in performing arts development which increases public awareness of the cultural and spiritual identity of the performing arts in the Asia-Pacific region to a worldwide audience. It provides a platform for the enhancement of research, exchange, education, and networking for performing arts and artists and the status of artists in the Asia-Pacific Region. APPAN links performing arts companies, organizations, institutions and networks in the Asia-Pacific Region, using up-to-date communication technologies and strategies.