Ádám KósaMEP, member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, European Parliament


Thank you very much for getting the word so quickly, and excuse me but my plane was late. It’s our European disease.

I think it is very important to share my thoughts about today’s conference. This conference was supported by three MEPs from the European People’s Party. Among them was me, because I think it’s very important that educational drama gets a spotlight in everyday life.

Some of you might not know, but besides my MEP work, I am also the President of the Association of Hungarian Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In the association, there is a theatre group of young people, operating for four years, with participation of deaf and hard of hearing people. And I can see how much theatre helped them. During the four years with the help of educational theatre and drama they have became completely new persons. That’s why I am so glad that in other countries there is an opportunity that deaf and hard of hearing people are taking part in such activities. For example, I would mention Slovenia. I believe these researches show that theatre and drama help people to stand up for themselves more.

The European Parliament is about representing almost 500 million citizens of Europe. And here is my thought about this, that educational drama and theatre helps young people to stand up for themselves.
So I wish you a very successful conference and again please excuse me for my delay, it was out of my control.