African Creative Economy on Arterial Network discussed

Planning meeting for the ACE 2012 conference on African Creative Economy being facilitated by Arterial Network ended recently in the Senegalese capital Dakar, at the Hotel Ngor Diarama.

Renowned playwright and director of African Institute, Mike Van Graan and UNESCO experts, director for Creativity, Arts and Jobs Avil Joffee from South Africa are among the delegates to join Senegalese Cheik Ngaido Ba and Chritina Ndombi from UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression and what it means for African states.

The 2012 Caine Prize for African Writing shortlisted writer and managing editor for Kwani Trust, Billy Kahora, founding chairman of the African Cultural Regeneration Institute Prof. Francis Gichuru and Aghan Adero, director of the Kenyan Cultural Centre are the speakers from Kenya.

Senegalese Brahim Sakho, South African Glenn Ujebe, director for Department and Arts and Culture, Cameroonian arts journalist and translator Telesphore Mbabizo, Oxfam manager for regional programmes in Senegal Abdoulaye Dia will be part of a panel that will discuss  mainstreaming creative cultural industries as critical elements in African and  National economic planning.

ACE 2012 has so far attracted participation of over 100 delegates from over 40 countries. The registered delegates include established or upcoming arts practitioners, intellectuals, journalists, researchers, policymakers and patrons.

ACE 2012 will feature powerful debates, training, know-how exchange, networking and energetic collaboration.

The African Creative Economy Conference is the second to be hosted by Arterial Network, a dynamic network of individuals, organizations, donors, companies and institutions engaged in the African cultural sector.

The Pan-African Network, currently active in 40 African countries, was formed in 2007 to support the effectiveness and growth of the African arts and culture civil society and to enhance the sustainability of creative industries in Africa.