About Us

Kandu Arts for Sustainable Development began in 1998.

Director Ed Deedigan, having used his experience of music and drama in a range of contexts, collaborated with others to create a process and an organisation that would deliver services and engage with communities; building strong relationships to work towards a more sustainable future for us all.

Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature
— Agenda 21

With our 20th Anniversary in 2018 we know that to work towards a more sustainable, peaceful humanity, planet and future, the needs of everyone must be met in full consideration of the economic, social and environmental impacts that entails. Inequality and marginalisation, lack of access to anything other than the bare necessities of life, poor physical and mental health have detrimental effects on the planet and all of us.

Kandu’s methodology is to engage people (individuals, communities, businesses, institutions) in exploring solutions to the problems created by our cultural and social histories in a holistic way with an emphasis on the liberating and empowering experience of the arts.

There is much evidence to show that health is about far more than physical wellbeing and this approach has shown important social outcomes such as positive peer relationships, caring, increased empathy, social engagement, and improved health-related behaviours. It establishes and maintains healthy and rewarding relationships based on cooperation which result in constructively preventing and resolving conflict and in managing change.

As a result this improves decision making, ethical standards, safety concerns, consideration of appropriate social norms, respect for others, and the likely consequences of various courses of action. Thus, we are all motivated to contribute to the well-being of our communities.

Kandu works with businesses, schools, families, social services, decision makers at local and national level, and with some of the most marginalized individuals and groups – homeless, those with mental health difficulties, refugees, children in care, those who are economically, socially and geographically isolated all ages, all backgrounds.

Learn more about the members of our team →