Creative Economy Conference to Address Africa’s Development Issues

 

The entertainment and arts industries have been one of Africa’s growing GDP earners and avenues are now being explored to see how such creative sectors can significantly contribute to the continents economy.

This year’s African Creative Economy Conference will bring together some of the world’s most incisive, creative and thought provoking strategists, academics, entrepreneurs, and artistes to debate on constructive issues centered around unlocking the potential of the creative economies.

Inaugurated in Kenya in 2011 and held in Senegal last year, this year’s conference is penciled for the mother city of Cape Town and will run from 6-9 October at the City Hall.

Speakers and Panelists will focus on the continent’s creative industries as economic drivers, highlighting their potential contribution to the eradication of poverty and underpinning of democracy and human rights.

The impressive lineup of speakers ranges from think tank directors and fashion entrepreneurs to musicians and government ministers. These are namely Dr David Stevens (Director of Fireside Research World Policy Institute, USA), Dr Marina Guo (Vice Director at John Howkins Research Center on the Creative Economy, China), Benard Bakaye (Head of the Culture and Sports Department of the East African Community) and Stephen Chifunyise (Arts, Culture and Education Consultant, Zimbabwe).

Other participants include Nigerian lawyer turned fashion entrepreneur Omoyeni Akerele who will share her success story along with DRC born South African based film maker Johnny Muteba and Zimbabwean born Patrick Schofield.

“The third African Creativity Economic Conference will be a conference with a difference – the presentations and discussions are complemented by the arts in practice. Delegates will access the latest economic and cultural development indicators and debate the findings of development experts. They will also hear inspirational stories from dynamic cultural entrepreneurs, global funders and commentators,” said Korkor Amarteifio, who is one of the organisers.

“The conference will focus attention on the continents creative industries, not just as economic drivers but will also highlight the potential contribution of the creative industries to the eradication of poverty, democracy and human rights. This event will be of particular interest to creative practitioners, government bodies and policy makers, academics, researchers, journalists and many others. It is a key opportunity to interact with leading players in the field and to engage with critical challenges and innovative solutions that are part of the process of growing the outputs and efficacy of the creative sector in Africa,” he said.

Amarteifio added that the conference promises to be a well spring of creativity and inspiration.

An enticing parallel programme of African cultural events has also been planned for delegates and locals alike.