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 workers to influence the AU’s policy agenda. This year’s congress will examine the relevance and implementation of key AU policy instruments such as the African Union Agenda 2063, Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, Statute of the African Audio-Visual and Cinema Commission, and others. The event is expected to result in concrete recommendations and the sharing of best practices for advancing Africa’s cultural and creative industries.

The outcomes of AU/PACC6 are expected to enhance advocacy for the arts, culture, and heritage sectors and promote the importance of these sectors in achieving Africa’s development goals. Selam’s participation at this pivotal event will continue its work in shaping Africa’s cultural future through research, advocacy, and strategic policy engagement.

Lucy Ilado, Regional Programme Director at Selam, highlighted the vital role of CSOs in driving cultural policy reforms.  “The participation of CSOs in platforms like AU/PACC6 ensures that policy instruments reflect the evolving dynamics of the arts, culture, and heritage sectors, both on the continent and globally” she said. “ Through CfCA, which is being implemented in partnership with CSOs across our focus countries, we recognize the important role these organisations play in advocating for cultural workers and ensuring that AU instruments are domesticated and effectively implemented. We cannot overlook the importance of CSOs in shaping inclusive and responsive cultural policies that safeguard and uplift the creative industries for the Africa We Want.”

The CfCA initiative is being supported by the Swedish government with its implementation being supported by the AU. The project  intertwines advocacy efforts at regional and national levels through a multistakeholder regional network that brings culture advocates together raising awareness on the benefits of investing in culture for a democratic, inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable social and economic development.