ASSITEJ (pronounced Assitej) is the world’s largest association dedicated to protecting and developing the rights of children and young people to experience theatre and performing arts.
Founded in 1965, the association today unites national centres in more than 75 countries, along with over 20 professional networks and organisations of artists. Regardless of nationality, cultural identity, social background, ethnicity, or religion, ASSITEJ International advocates for all children, defending their right to access education in theatre and performing arts.
ASSITEJ International creates international platforms for sharing knowledge and experience, deepening understanding, developing practice, opening new opportunities, and strengthening the global sector of theatre for children and young people.
ASSITEJ International considers theatre and performing arts to be a broad and diverse field, encompassing forms such as circus, dance, drama, mime, opera, puppetry, spoken word, storytelling, and other stage arts.
Key Activities of ASSITEJ International:
- International festivals, gatherings, and congresses: Annual artist gatherings and every three years a “World Congress” hosted in different countries, where theatre development and future policies are discussed, alongside performances, exchanges, and collaborative opportunities.
- International Theater for Young Audiences Research Network
- Small Size – Association for Theatre for Early Years (0–5 years old audiences)
- Write Local Play Global Network for Playwrights
- International Inclusive Arts Network
- Dance Network for artists creating stage works for children and young people
- Next Generation Network
ASSITEJ Mongolia
ASSITEJ Mongolia National Center was established and joined the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ International) in 2021.
Although Mongolia has a long tradition of children’s theatre (such as the Children and Youth Theatre and the National Puppet Theatre), joining this international network opened a new gateway for Mongolian artists to bring their voices to the global stage. Since its establishment, ASSITEJ Mongolia has been actively engaged in the following areas:
- Building International Bridges: Enabling Mongolian artists to participate in major international festivals and congresses, while introducing best global practices into the country. A clear example of this is the Wanderlust Project.
- Collaboration and Capacity-Building: Supporting and empowering artists and advocates working in theatre for children and young people. ASSITEJ Mongolia strives to be a healthy, open, and sustainable national network where members cooperate, maintain regular communication, and work toward shared goals. It also focuses on nurturing and developing artists for theatre for children and youth, strengthening their capacity, expanding their numbers, and preparing the next generation of artists.
- Хүүхдийн театрын “Дуу хоолой” байх: Төр засаг, бодлого тодорхойлогчдод хүүхдийн театрын ач холбогдлыг таниулах, энэ салбарын төсөв, санхүүжилтийг нэмэгдүүлэх, соёлын бодлогод хүүхэд бүрийн урлаг үзэх эрхийг тусгуулахад анхаарч ажиллах.
