Selam, through its Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) initiative, will participate at the African Union’s 6th Pan-African Cultural Congress (AU/PACC6), to be held from September 25 to 27, in Moroni, Union of Comoros.
Organised under the theme Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Education: Levers for Building the Africa We Want, AU/PACC6 is a triennial statutory meeting that brings together cultural stakeholders across Africa to contribute to the policy-making process of the African Union (AU). This theme will be discussed in a plenary session, featuring keynote speakers. Subsequently, the sub-themes sessions will delve into various issues. Thematic reference papers will be crafted and presented for each sub-theme to guide the discussions effectively.
Launched in May 2023, CfCA is committed to reshaping perceptions of Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) and advocating for increased public investment in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors. In line with the African Union’s Plan of Action (PoA) on CCIs, CfCA aims to encourage African governments to allocate 1% of their national budgets to these sectors by 2030. The initiative focuses on empowering cultural advocates, building networks, and influencing democratic budget decisions through capacity-building and advocacy efforts.
At AU/PACC6, Selam will present the project status and key milestones achieved during the first two years of the CfCA initiative. This includes the publication of research on public investment in the arts, culture and heritage sector across Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Ethiopia. These findings serve as a foundation for continuing dialogue and advocacy to drive policy change across the continent.
“The AU/PACC6 provides an opportunity for cultural advocates and leaders to influence policy at the highest level,” Selam’s Executive Director Teshome Wondimu said. “CfCA’s participation underscores our commitment to ensuring that the arts and culture are recognized as essential to Africa’s development. We are excited to share our progress and continue advocating for increased public investment in the creative sectors.
“It is crucial to strengthen the visibility of the arts, culture, and heritage sector while pushing for decisive public action to promote its growth. Our efforts at CfCA align with the AU’s call for Member States to allocate at least 1% of their national budgets to these sectors, and we are working towards ensuring the full implementation of this decision.”
The Pan-African Cultural Congress serves as a vital platform for cultural institutions, independent experts, and cultural work