Save the Date: The 2021 Edition of Biennale of Luanda is at the corner
While opportunities for sustainable development in Africa are growing, the continent still faces many challenges including the risk of major instability and conflict. UNESCO advocates for the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence in Africa based on African shared values. From 4 to 8 October the whole world will converge in Luanda in a hybrid format, merging digital and physical events to celebrate the culture of peace in Africa through arts, culture and music. Organized in partnership with African Union, UNESCO and the Government of Angola, the Biennale of Luanda – “Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace”, aims to promote the prevention of violence and the resolution of conflicts by encouraging cultural exchanges in Africa, dialogue between generations and the promotion of gender equality. As a space for reflection and dissemination of artistic works, ideas and best practices related to the culture of peace, it brings together representatives of governments, civil society, the artistic and scientific community, and international organizations. This year’s event is a major opportunity to celebrate the African Union’s 2021 theme, “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want” and to extend the 2020 theme, “Silencing the Guns in Africa”.
While opportunities for sustainable development in Africa are growing, the continent still faces many challenges including the risk of major instability and conflict. UNESCO advocates for the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence in Africa based on African shared values. From 4 to 8 October the whole world will converge in Luanda in a hybrid format, merging digital and physical events to celebrate the culture of peace in Africa through arts, culture and music. Organized in partnership with African Union, UNESCO and the Government of Angola, the Biennale of Luanda – “Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace”, aims to promote the prevention of violence and the resolution of conflicts by encouraging cultural exchanges in Africa, dialogue between generations and the promotion of gender equality. As a space for reflection and dissemination of artistic works, ideas and best practices related to the culture of peace, it brings together representatives of governments, civil society, the artistic and scientific community, and international organizations. This year’s event is a major opportunity to celebrate the African Union’s 2021 theme, “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want” and to extend the 2020 theme, “Silencing the Guns in Africa”.
The Biennale will be promoting a culture of peace while strengthening the Pan-African Movement for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence, by setting up:
- A global platform for cooperation for the development of violence and conflict prevention strategies and the dissemination of initiatives and good practices, with a view to building sustainable peace and development in Africa (Thematic Forums);
- A space for exchange between the cultural identities of Africa and its Diasporas, a privileged meeting place for the arts, cultures and heritage as instruments of dialogue, mutual understanding and tolerance (Festival of cultures);
- A multi-actor partnership between governments, civil society, the artistic and scientific community, the private sector and international organizations. A major opportunity to support emblematic programs for Africa by developing on a larger scale projects and initiatives that have proven to be successful at the local, national or sub-regional level (Alliance of partners for the culture of peace in Africa).
The five-day programme will be organized around the following axes: Intergenerational Dialogue of leaders and youth (i); Thematic and best practice forums (ii); Alliance of Partners for a Culture of Peace in Africa (iii); and Festival of Cultures (iv)
The biennale of Luanda was inspired by the Constitution of UNESCO, the definition of the concept of a culture of peace is the culmination of a long process of maturation initiated by the Yamoussoukro Declaration on peace in the minds of men developed at the Congress International on Peace in the Minds of Men, organized jointly in Yamoussoukro (Côte d’Ivoire), from June 26 to July 1, 1989, by the Ivorian Government and UNESCO.