Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq

I am the Healing Arts spokesperson for the International Child Art Foundation. This organization was founded and lead by Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq. He is an extremely accomplished man with incredible background. Here is a link to an interview he did recently pertaining to the International Child Art Foundation and the increasing popularity with cyber networking and digital technology. http://www.icaf.org/about/Dr.%20Ishaq%20interview%20with%20Cybertherapy%20&%20Rehabilitation.pdf

Ashfaq is a huge role model and inspiration to me. He is kind, generous, welcoming and one of the most interesting men I have ever encountered. Below, is a brief paragraph about his credentials and history.  Ashfaq has a unique perspective that we can achieve global peace through art.

Ashfaq Ishaq, Ph.D.
Chairman, International Child Art Foundation

Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq founded the International Child Art Foundation to harness children’s imagination for positive social change.  His belief that creativity and empathy are preconditions for a more just, prosperous and nonviolent world is based on his seminal research at the World Bank and the George Washington University on entrepreneurship and small business development, military burden and security needs, digital divide and the new economy, and private provision of public services.  His familiarity with the power of the arts as an effective channel for children’s creative and empathic development stems from his experience as an award-winning child artist. The Arts Olympiad program he developed to overcome the “4th grade slump” in creativity documented by E. Paul Torrance is today the world’s largest and most prestigious arts and creative education initiative for children ages 8 to 12.  Nearly 3 million children worldwide participated in the 3rd Arts Olympiad (2005-2008). The 2007 World Children’s Festival he produced on the National Mall in Washington, DC was the world’s largest international children’s Celebration.  Dr. Ishaq has obtained an exclusive license from the U.S. Olympic Committee for the ICAF to use “Arts Olympiad” and related marks as well as secured support from some of the world’s most creative companies – Adidas, Disney, Faber-Castell, Hilton, and LEGO.

I am so honored to be able to work with such a distinguished man. His unique view on the world always inspires me to keep reaching out no matter how often I get turned down. I know that art heals, and by working with the International Child Art Foundation, I can make a significant difference in the lives of children by giving them the gift of imagination and creativity.

Art is everything!
Xo,

Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012