International Amateur Theatre Association

The International Amateur Theatre Association (AITA/IATA asbl) is a worldwide non-governmental organisation of national centres, amateur theatres and individuals dedicated to promoting understanding and education through amateur theatre. Founded in Belgium in 1952, its members operate in more than 80 countries on 5 continents, making AITA/IATA the powerful voice of the global amateur theatre community. The current President is Mr Rob Van Genechten from Belgium (Flanders) and the organisation’s Secretariat is in London, England.

Under its banner of universal understanding and education through theatre, AITA/IATA promotes cross-frontier cooperation, artistic enrichment, and a sense of universal togetherness. For more than fifty years it has fielded a wide range of activities serving the amateur theatre community including World Congresses, international festivals, workshops and symposia, informational publications, training courses, programs for children and youth, and financial sponsorship of cross-border cultural events. The organisation is associated with UNESCO and fulfils a facilitating, networking and initiating role for member countries and cultural groupings.

Governing bodies Every other year AITA/IATA has a General Assembly and Forum (formerly Congress) where its members come together to hold the Council of AITA/IATA to account for the running of the organisation.

General Assembly The General Assembly (GA) is the highest decision-making body. It is held every two years and every other General Assembly is held in Monaco. The last General Assembly was held in Ypres, Belgium (Flanders) in July 2015 and the next one will be in Monaco in August 2017.

International Theatre Festival Alongside the GA, an International Theatre Festival is held where amateur theatre groups selected by that country's AITA/IATA National Centre come together to perform, to attend workshops and discussions and to exchange theatre experiences. In 2015, it was held in the village of Westouter, some 10 km from Ypres, and was part of the Spots op West 2015 Festival. In Monaco, the International Festival - Mondial du Théâtre - is organised by the Studio de Monaco with AITA/IATA.

The Executive Board The Executive has the following functions:

The Executive 2015 - 2017:

Council of Representatives 2015 - 2017 The Council of Representatives are individuals from each of five Regions of AITA/IATA. They are:

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