Creative Economy Conference to set agenda for African development

This year’s African Creative Economy Conference (ACEC) takes place in less than three weeks – and some of the world’s most incisive, creative and thought-provoking strategists, academics, entrepreneurs and artists will shortly debate how to unlock the potential of the creative economies.

This annual conference was first held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2011 and in Dakar, Senegal in 2012. This year, speakers and panellists at Cape Town’s City Hall (6-9 October) 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 dazzling line-up ranges from think-tank directors to fashion entrepreneurs, musicians to government ministers. Delegates will access the latest economic and cultural development indicators; hear inspirational stories from dynamic cultural entrepreneurs; and debate the findings of development experts, global funders and commentators.

Policy experts include Dr David Stevens (Director, Fireside Research, World Policy Institute, USA); Dr Marina Guo, Vice-director, John Howkins Research Centre on the Creative Economy, Shanghai, China; Bernard Bakaye, head of the Culture and Sports Department of the East African Community; and Stephen Chifunyise, arts, culture and education consultant and Principal of the Zimbabwe Academy of Arts Education for Development (ZAAED).

Artists and creative entrepreneurs include Francophone Africa rap musician Didier Awadi and Jaouad Essounani, the director, playwright and artistic director of the Dabateatre Company of Rabat, Morocco.

Nigerian lawyer-turned fashion entrepreneur Omoyemi Akerele will share her success story, along with DRC-born, SA-based film-maker Johnny Muteba, CEO of Mobi Changa Limited Kyai Mullei and Zimbabwean-born, SA-based Patrick Schofield, founder of Streetwires and crowd-funding café, Thundafund.

Other participants include Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kalako, Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Commission, and Ojoma Ochai, assistant country director, British Council, Nigeria.

Researchers engaged by Arterial Network will present their “Africa in Numbers” findings, which will include up-to-date indicators on economies and the creative industries; development (health, education/literacy, etc.); democracy (governance and human rights); and corruption and transparency.

An enticing parallel programme of African cultural events has also been planned for delegates and locals alike. From a township street transformed into a performance district, to a pop-up book shop and a film festival, there’s plenty to keep Capetonians and visitors (from over 40 African countries and beyond) entertained.

Conference registration fees are R2239/delegate from Africa, R3278/delegate from Central America, South America or Asia, and R6000/delegate from Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Credit card payments and electronic funds transfers are accepted. (International bank drafts from non-South African delegates).

Conference brochure: http://www.arterialnetwork.org/uploads/2013/07/ACE2013%20Digital%20Brochure.pdf
Registration: Visit the website www.acec2013.org.za | email: ACEC2013@ccdi.org.za | Twitter: https://twitter.com/acec2013 |
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanCreativeEconomyConference |

More Info link:: http://www.arterialnetwork.org
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Author: Judy Bryant from Judy Bryant Communications. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.

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Images:
African Creative Economy Conference logo Photographer: CCDI

Photographer: ACEC

ACEC speaker Ojoma Ochai Photographer: ACEC