AFRICAN UNION BUSINESS: 3RD PAN AFRICAN CULTURAL CONGRESS ADOPTS FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 31 August 2012- The 3rd Pan­ African Cultural Congress (PACC3), which was being held at the African Union in Addis Ababa under the theme: "Culture, Societies and Sustainable Development" from 28 to 30 August 2012, has ended with the adoption of a framework for action. The purpose of the congress was to create a platform for cultural practitioners to dialogue and make recommendations on the importance of culture for the sustainable development.

The congress was officially closed by the Director of Social Affairs at the African Union Commission Dr Olawale Maiyegun, in the presence of the Director of the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) Professor Sozinho Matsinhe.

In the action plan, participants at the congress noted and underscored a number of priorities and actions in the promotion of culture as a tool for development. The priorities fell under the following broad categories: promotion of culture as a tool for sustainable development; legal and cultural policy environment; African culture as a vehicle for transformation and development; cultural statistics- the missing link; the creative economy and sustainable development; culture as the fourth pillar for sustainable development; and cooperation on cultural and creative industries.

The theme of the congress, "Culture, Societies and Sustainable Development", brought renewed reflection on the role that culture can play in the development of the African continent. For at least forty (40) years, the notion of the 'cultural dimension of development' - that culture is integral to development, and that cultural development and planning must be incorporated into and cut across other sectors such as economic, social and human development has been recognized internationally and within Africa.

Culture, as the fourth pillar for sustainable development, addresses the relation between culture and sustainable development through dual means: firstly, the development of the cultural sector itself (i.e. heritage, creativity, cultural industries, crafts, cultural tourism); and secondly, ensuring that culture has its rightful place in all public policies, particularly those related to education, the economy, science, communication, environment, social cohesion and international cooperation.

The 3rd Pan-African Cultural Congress provided an opportunity for, cultural experts and practitioners to make inputs on how culture can complement government efforts in achieving growth and development on the continent. The outcomes of the Congress (Report and Framework for Action) will be submitted to the 4th Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Culture to be held in Kinshasa, DRC from 29th October to 2nd November 2012. The first and the second Pan-African Cultural Congresses were held under the following themes: 'Culture, Integration and African Renaissance”; and “Inventory Protection and Promotion of African Cultural Goods," respectively.

Participants consisted of cultural policy makers, practitioners, administrators, educators/ academicians, designers, creators, producers, critics, entrepreneurs, researchers, African and international inter-governmental and nongovernmental organisations; associations and networks, regional and international cultural organizations; development partners of the African Union and diplomatic missions based in Addis Ababa.- SOURCE: DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION