Report on AMIT 2024
by Éva Szabó
For the first time, the East Bay Hungarian Educational Group, the youngest weekend school in the American Hungarian diaspora, participated at the annual AMIT conference. (Amerikai Magyar Iskolák Találkozója / American Hungarian Schools Association)The school from Walnut Creek was represented by Éva Szabó, deputy director.
The AMIT 2024 conference, titled “Music Belongs to Everyone,” was held in New York from October 4-6. Participants learned about the role of music, folk traditions, and drama pedagogy in education. The keynote speakers emphasized the power of music to foster community, particularly in teaching Hungarian language and culture.
The lectures focused on the role of music in education, the preservation of folk traditions, and the community-building effect of music. Presenters shared how music and drama pedagogy can be integrated into Hungarian language and cultural education. Participants also attended interactive workshops, gaining practical insights into new methods and tools to support Hungarian communities.
Dr. Rita Uzsalyné Pécsi, educational researcher, delivered several presentations on the connection between education and music. She highlighted the positive impact of music education on children’s emotional and social development and how it helps build community and strengthen identity in the diaspora. In her lectures, she emphasized the role of play and the arts in learning, providing practical examples of how to incorporate music into everyday educational practice.
In addition to the valuable lectures, one of the most meaningful experiences was the opportunity for participants to meet in person, spend time together, and share their experiences, joys, and challenges. The shared conversations and camaraderie energized the teachers, allowing them to return home refreshed and ready to continue their work with renewed enthusiasm.
Many thanks and gratitude to the organizers and for their dedicated work. Thank you, AMIT.
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