Senegal beckons Malawi to creative conference

Malawi is set to benefit from the Second Edition of the African Creative Economy Conference (Acec) when researchers, artists, civil society, donors and cultural workers from Africa converge in Dakar, Senegal the 2012 host nation.

The event will be held from November 14 to 16 2012.

The conference, the second since its establishment, offers insights on the African creative sector as well as an opportunity to network, get practical analysis and reflection of the African creative economy from an African perspective and reality.

This should help consolidate emergent African expertise in this area while providing critical thought necessary in navigating the unfolding realities the sector is faced with.

Organisers, Arterial Network; has announced that Senegal has won the bid to host the Second African Creative Economy Conference.

“Others that competed include Nhimbe Trust in Zimbabwe and Yezi Arts in Zambia, all in Southern Africa. From North Africa, it was Association Racines in Morocco and Senegal’s bid represented West Africa,” said Nancy Onyango, communications and marketing manager for Arterial Network.

“Senegal emerged the winner as it obtained high scores that demonstrated its preparedness and capacity to host the 2012 conference. Arterial Network Senegal submitted an outstanding application that clearly outlined available support from the government, financial contributions and discounts from service providers, partnership with Arterial Network Mauritania, coupled with proven past experience in hosting international events,” added Onyango.

One of the local members of the Arterial Network Zilanie Nyundo said the conference is beneficial to Malawian artists.

“Every African country sends representatives and Arterial Network national chapters, which are in 49 countries. These include artists, managers, organisations, cultural activists, festivals, donors and corporate interests,” said Nyundo.

She said eight Malawians have so far registered but they are yet to be processed.

“I will definitely attend it because I’m a member. The next Arterial Chairperson of Malawi, who will be elected at an annual general meeting at the end of this month, will also be attending. Norwegian Embassy as the Cultural Support Scheme funds the arts association activities,” she explained.

However, she called on the government of Malawi to act on all conventions it signed to support the creative industry.

Malawi is a signatory to a number of international conventions such as Unesco convention for the Promotion and Protection of Heritage and Cultural Diversity and the Nairobi Plan of Action which intend to provide resources and support to the creative industries.