March 18, 2008  

Governments, sponsors, and the media are our main concern this year.
       
Governments (national, regional or local), sponsors (private or public) and the media (newspapers, magazines, radio, TV) are the three most important factors affecting the practice of our art. Dance professionals struggle to approach them individually - with poor results. We propose a better way: through CID Sections representing all forms of dance, all levels, all functions.
 
I invite all dancers to join the International Dance Council and to form CID Sections. These Sections will be able to tackle general issues affecting dance. Through them, as officially recognized bodies, all dancers can secure better conditions for the practice of their art. They will be able to obtain appropriate regulations from governments, adequate support from sponsors, and satisfactory visibility from the media.
 
We propose to replace self-centered isolation with concern for the common good. Each one of us has been trying to get some crumbs; by working together we will increase the size of the cake.
 
CID is certainly not a trade union, but CID Sections can act as pressure groups on the local and the national level. They can persuade. Their force arises from the fact that they represent the entire spectrum of dance. 
 
They can convince the environment where dancers evolve that their art is essential for the well-being of every society.
  
Prof. Alkis Raftis
President of the International Dance Council CID
UNESCO, Paris
  
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1.  The official Dance Day message is mailed to over 100,000 dance professionals in 200 countries. It is translated to dozens of languages. Please ask for a translation, or translate the message to the language of your country; send it to dance organizations and the media. You can find guidelines and previous messages at the CID web site.
 
2.  Dance Day has been established in view of attracting attention to the art of dance, every year on the 29th of April. On that day, dance companies, dance schools, organizations and individuals, professionals as well as amateurs, are asked to organize an activity addressing an audience larger than their usual one.
 
3. The International Dance Council (Conseil International de la Danse - CID) is the official umbrella organization for all forms of dance in all countries of the world.

-  CID is recognized by UNESCO, national and local governments, international organizations and institutions.
-  Its members are the most prominent federations, associations, schools, companies and individuals in more than 150 countries.
-  It is the supreme forum bringing together international, national and local organizations, as well as prominent individuals active in dance.
-  It was founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where it is based.
-  UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
  
Contact
Conseil International de la Danse - CID - International Dance Council
UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, FR-75732 Paris 15, France
www.unesco.org/ngo/cid
www.cid-unesco.org