Namibia to host inaugural arts summit

The event, which will run under the theme Human Creativity Is a Vital Economic, Social and Cultural Resource, seeks to support the creative economy across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and increase awareness of the sector.

About 150 SADC delegates representing government institutions, national arts councils, cultural agencies and professional associations in the creative industry are expected to attend the summit.

“The summit aims to stimulate conversation and trigger action on awareness to the creative economy, as being vital to national development and the need for regional prioritisation and integration of the creative industries into national and development policies,” a post on the NACN Facebook page reads.

NACN chairperson Patrick Sam said the summit was inspired by a lack of commitment among governments.

“The creative sector is largely ignored by policymakers and this impacts investment in the sector, ultimately affecting the productivity and effectiveness of other industries,” he said. “The creative sector offers numerous opportunities for cross-sectorial partnerships and initiatives, such as tourism and trade.

“The summit will promote the need for inclusion of the creative industries in national and regional development strategies, while ensuring that cross-sectorial opportunities are nurtured and explored.”

Sam challenged governments to do their homework in regard to the economic advantages the creative sector could provide.

“The creative industry is vital to the sustainable development of Namibia and other SADC countries, yet there is a perceived lack of understanding and doubts about the opportunities and benefits of investing in this sector and the growth it can bring to the region," he said.

“One of the fundamental issues is a lack of evidence-based strategies and initiatives in the region and for the region, despite there being a wealth of experience and knowledge available.”

The summit, Sam said, would establish facts about the potential GDP benefits of the creative economy and the investment required to enable regional stakeholders to make an evidence-based case for a regional focus on the creative industries.

Key speakers at the event will include Avril Joffe (South Africa), Dr Sem Shikongo (Namibia), John Davies (UK), (Zimbabwe), Prof Richard Haines (South Africa), Dr Jenny Mbaye (UK) and Stephen Chifunyise (Zimbabwe).

Click here for more information about the event.