On 15 June 2026, researchers from the “Horizon Europe” project “Promoting Understanding and Lifelong learning Successful Education through the ARTs and culture (PULSE-ART; Grant Agreement No. 101178988) participated in the annual virtual International Academic Conference “Human: Language, Society, Culture”, organized by the civil society Kultūras Artefakts [Cultural Artefact] in cooperation with the Daugavpils University (DU) Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (IHSS) Centre for Cultural Research. The PULSE-ART team included Professor, PhD Dzintra Iliško, and senior researchers Professor, Dr. theol. Anita Stašulāne, Dr. philol. Ilze Kačāne, Dr. philol. Oksana Kovzele, and Dr. paed. Mārīte Kravale-Pauliņa, all from the DU IHSS.

During the conference, the research “Cultural Politics on Arts-Based Education” was presented. The study was developed within the framework of PULSE-ART Work Package 2, “The PULSE-ART Professional Development Programme and the Arts in Education Observatory for CAE”, and Work Package 3, “Multi-level Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Recommendations”. The presentation examined the legal and policy framework governing arts-based education, beginning with the fundamental human right to freedom of artistic expression and extending to UNESCO policy documents that promote inclusion, creativity, cultural participation, and equality. It also explored how these principles are reflected in educational policy and practice, with particular attention to respect for human dignity, recognition of diverse identities, and appreciation of cultural diversity and shared cultural heritage as a source of dialogue, innovation, and creativity.

PULSE-ART highlights the importance of arts-based education in fostering Cultural Awareness and Expression (CAE), one of the eight key competences for lifelong learning. CAE plays a vital role in promoting intercultural dialogue, creative expression, civic participation, and personal development. It enables individuals to understand, appreciate, and communicate ideas, experiences, and emotions through music, the performing arts, literature, the visual arts, and other forms of cultural expression.

The conference serves as an international interdisciplinary platform that brings together scholars from the fields of linguistics, literary studies, cultural studies, education, and the social sciences. This year’s event attracted researchers from Spain, Georgia, and Latvia, including DU IHSS researchers Evita Badina, Žans Badins, and Maija Grizāne, fostering international dialogue and collaboration on current issues in language, culture, society, and education.

Additional information on the project:
PULSE-ART project manager in Latvia
DU IHSS leading researcher Ilze Kačāne
e-mail: ilze.kacane@du.lv

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under the Grant Agreement no 101178988.