WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to cooperate with international cultural bodies in the observance of world significant events and the conduct of activities in line with the international agreements entered into by the Philippines and other parties along with their underlying objectives;

WHEREAS, World Theatre Week was established in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) through the 9th World Congress in Helsinki, Finland and thereafter celebrated annually by International Theatre Institute (ITI) Centres worldwide and the international theatre community;

WHEREAS, World Theatre Week this year is focusing on Theatre and Development as a Follow up to the successful hosting of the 31st UNESCO-ITI Congress and its theatre Olympics of the Nations organized by the Philippine Center of the UNESCO-ITI and its partners in Manila presided by the UNESCO Director General himself as it dealt with the issues of theatre in the service of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals reflecting the promotion of cultural diversity and multi-lingualism as a force for values education and social change;

WHEREAS, World Theatre Week is an occasion for theatre artists of varied disciplines in performance and media arts to celebrate the power of Theatre to bring people together and an opportunity to share with audiences the wealth of each country's heritage, history, habitat, theatrical traditions and expertise modeling cultural caregiving for marginalized sectors and disadvantaged youth exemplified in the Philippine program of the Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble honored as UNESCO Artists for Peace;

WHEREAS, these concerns may be efficiently and effectively undertaken through the collective efforts of the various levels of the government and the informed citizenry at large.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare March 21-27, 2007 and every year thereafter as the "UNESCO-ITI World Theatre Week", to be collectively observed nationwide by all government offices, agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations, through the conduct of relevant activities for the occasion under the auspices and direction of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (MCCA), in partnership with the Philippine Center of the UNESCO-International Theatre Institute; Asia Pacific Bureau of the UNESCO-ITI Chair on Trainors Training for Theatre for All.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.


By the President;

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary