A meeting of the WPM Coordinating Committee was held on Sunday, March 9, during the month of Ramadan. The following members attended: Rati Saxena, Vadim Terekhin, Achour Fenni, Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, Alex Pausides, Cao Shui, Oscar Saavedra, Ana Maria Oviedo, Christine Peiying Chen, Aminur Rahman, Hanan Awwad, Gloria Chvatal, Enrique Hernandez, Ali Al Ameri, Nicolas Antonioli, Marcelo Reis, Sylvie Marie, and Fernando Rendón.
It was noted that during the WPM congresses in Colombia and Venezuela, numerous tasks from the approved Strategic Plan were undertaken. While these responsibilities may seem overwhelming, most members have carried them out to the best of their ability, balancing their own poetic work and projects. WPM has collectively advanced in global action for Palestine, publications, and translations, while also initiating and developing poetry workshops and schools.
Development of the World Poetry School
Efforts to establish a World Poetry School are underway. Progress has been observed in poetry schools in Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, Honduras, and Chile.
Ana María Oviedo presented the development process of Venezuela’s National Poetry School, which is supported by the Ministry of Education. A foundational group of poets created a standardized curriculum to ensure measurable results. Using this framework, the Ministry of Education permitted the implementation of poetry programs in 200 secondary schools, reaching 4,000 students who enrolled voluntarily. The one-year program covers topics such as the concept of poetry and poetry’s role in social media. Additionally, a pedagogical magazine featuring Venezuelan poetry and master texts was published. The primary goal is not only to train poets but also to foster sensitivity, critical thinking, and autonomy.
In Cuba, poetry workshops are currently active in four provinces. The Cuban Ministry of Culture has prioritized the establishment of the World Poetry School, initially in the provinces and later expanding to all municipalities.
Chile has two decades of experience in taking poetry education into diverse communities, including spaces often overlooked by institutions. The initiative aims to transform challenges into a poetic revolution, utilizing technology and visual elements to engage younger generations.
Progress has also been reported in China. Several organizations are involved, and Beijing University is preparing to launch a branch of the Poetry School. Efforts are underway to develop a guide on contemporary poets and modern world poetry. A combination of in-person and virtual formats is being considered to reach a wider audience.
In India, young poets are being encouraged to establish poetry schools in their cities. Given the linguistic and cultural diversity, efforts are being made to incorporate traditional poetry while also engaging children, similar to approaches in South America.
A workshop will be held in Bangladesh, with local poets already signed up. WPM members are encouraged to promote the event and invite poets from their respective countries, as national initiatives benefit from the collective support of the movement.
In Peru, poetry schools are expanding with the involvement of poets Marco Martos and Hildebrando Pérez, both of whom have extensive experience in poetry education at the University of San Marcos.
Brazil has experience in conducting poetry workshops at public universities, integrating academic knowledge with community initiatives. A reference center is being established in collaboration with the University of Rio. The BRICS Forum will bring together cultural representatives at the Federal University of Rio. Additionally, the Rio Cultural Municipality is planning a poetry festival and seeking sponsorship and funding.
In Algeria, experience in poetry workshops is growing, though challenges include geographical distance and cultural diversity across different populations.
Argentina also has a history of poetry and literature workshops. The Argentine Society of Poets has been reactivated as an autonomous, volunteer-driven organization, with a renewed interest in community projects. However, the central government’s authoritarian tendencies have led many artists to rely on self-managed initiatives.
Collective Action Against Political Repression
A proposal was made to organize a poetic action against President Javier Milei’s fascist policies and their broader implications. This would include a powerful reading of poems from Latin America, highlighting resistance and solidarity.
Poets from Algeria, Argentina, and Brazil requested that colleagues in Venezuela share bibliographical materials, textbooks, programs, and curriculum designs to establish a foundational working platform for their respective poetry schools.
Future Directions for National Coordinators
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to the WPM Manifesto: For a World Poetic Revolution. The goal is to bring poetry to every corner of the world through readings, reflections on the essence of poetry, and educational initiatives. Workshops and pedagogical experiences will be conducted in each country in accordance with local policies and with the participation of renowned poets.
WPM will coordinate a global poetic-pedagogical action, organizing hundreds of poetry workshops in a single day. This initiative aims to promote a world that is beautiful, just, poetic, free from war and hunger—a vision that embodies poetry’s power to transform human history. Recognizing the challenges ahead, the movement is prepared to dedicate its energy to this mission.
WPM remains a force uniting hundreds of poets, standing in solidarity with people around the world
