Â鶹APP

History is a study of the past, yet it influences the present and shapes the future.

This exhibition of ancient artefacts retraces aspects of Africa¡¯s past through artworks from some of the continent¡¯s regions. It explores history and provides a window into past cultural practices, some of which still influence modern day life. Beyond the selection¡¯s aesthetic value as sculptures, the exhibition looks at the context and significance of each piece, what it represented in the past and what it tells us now. This exhibition also demonstrates the important role that art has always played in Africa, both past and present. For example, art has been used for ritual purposes, as a form of expression, to preserve history, to capture traditions, to symbolize class, wealth or power, and as relics of worship, among others.

The selection is aligned to the theme of the 2021 Africa Dialogue Series (ADS), ¡°Cultural identity and ownership: reshaping mindsets,¡± which is drawn from the African Union theme of the year ¡°Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want.¡±

In line with the ADS objectives, this exhibition celebrates the continent¡¯s identity, culture, history and achievements. The remarkable selection also reflects the continent¡¯s rich cultural heritage, in which its strong traditions are steeped.

This conversation brings together a panel of academics and artists to discuss the creative industry and how Africa can benefit from her rich cultural heritage.

Guided by the Africa Dialogue Series (ADS) theme for 2021, ¡°Cultural identity and ownership: reshaping mindsets,¡± the conversation explores the value of Africa¡¯s art and culture within the context of the ADS¡¯s three sub-themes:1. Sustainable peace for development: factoring in history, 2. Harnessing Culture and Heritage for economic transformation, and 3. Human Capital: culture and heritage unleashing the potential.

The panel covers a range of topics, from Africa¡¯s identity to the value systems and how these influence modern day societies. They also discuss the pertinent question of how Africa¡¯s unique and diverse cultures can be harnessed for the continent¡¯s benefit, whether it is to enhance peace, build bridges, heal past wounds, boost economies or promote development. This rich discussion proposes practical solutions to modern day challenges, drawing from Africa¡¯s rich cultural heritage and using art as an effective medium.

Video [French]:

Video [Arabic]:

Zeinab Badawi¡¯s quest to uncover the history of Africa takes her to Egypt where she explores the most famous civilisation on the continent that of the ancient Egyptians. Zeinab takes you beyond the usual coverage of the pharaohs, mummies and pyramids and examines the controversial question of who the ancient Egyptians actually were. What was their ethnicity? What made such a great civilisation possible and how did the ancient Egyptians order their society? And she is also allowed to capture on film the mummy and treasures of the famous boy king Tutankhamun.

• ADS2021 Schedule
• Concept Note
• Advocacy Paper on Sustainable Peace for Development: Factoring in History
• Advocacy Paper on Harnessing Culture and Heritage for Economic Transformation
• Advocacy Paper on Human Capital - Culture and Heritage, Unleashing the Potential
• Africa Lusophone reacts actively to OSAA's ADS

ADS2021 Public Policy Forum

• ADS2021 Public Policy Forum Programme (May 26 - 28)
• Concept Note: Sustainable Peace for Development: Factoring in History
• Concept Note: Harnessing Culture and Heritage for Economic Transformation
• Concept Note: Human Capital: Culture and Heritage Unleashing the Potential
• Speaker Biographies for Opening Session
• Speaker Biographies for Session II: Roundtable on Sustainable Peace for Development: Factoring in History
• Speaker Biographies for Session II: Geopolitical Session
• Speaker Biographies for Session IV: Roundtable on Harnessing Culture and Heritage For Economic Transformation
• Speaker Biographies for Session V: Geopolitical Session
• Speaker Biographies for Session VI: Human Capital: Culture and Heritage, Unleashing the Potential
• Speaker Biographies for Session VII: Closing of Africa Dialogue Series
• Â鶹APP Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres' introductory remarks at the Africa Dialogue Series 2021
• Â鶹APP Under Secretary General and Special Adviser on Africa Cristina Duarte's welcome address at the Africa Dialogue Series 2021
• Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the Â鶹APP General Assembly
• Keynote Address by Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer, AUDA_NEPAD
• Remarks by H.E Amb. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the Â鶹APP
• Remarks by H.E Amb. Mr. Nuno Mathias, Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal to the UN
• Remarks by H.E. Amb. Issimail Chanfi, Permanent Representative of the Comoros to the UN
• Remarks by H.E. Prof. Kennedy Gastorn, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the UN
• Statement by H. E. Amb. Ishikane Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN
• Statement by H. E. Amb. Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN
• Statement by H.E. Amb. Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN
• Welcome Address by Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser, Cristina Duarte, at the Africa Dialogue Series 2021
• Time to invest more in African culture - Prof. Eddy Maloka
• A new narrative on Africa is possible, with a new mindset - H.E. Amb. Issimail Chanfi, Permanent Representative of the Comoros to the UN
• Closing Remarks by H.E Amb. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the Â鶹APP at the ADS2021
• Keynote Address by Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD
• Statement of His Excellency Ambassador Sofiane Mimouni Permanent Representative of Algeria On African dialogue series Financing for development: IFFs and international tax cooperation
• Statement by H. E. Amb. Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN
• H. E. Amb. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the Â鶹APP remarks at the Africa Dialogue Series
• Statement by H.E. Amb. Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN
• Ms. Amina Mohammed Deputy Secretary-General Message to the Africa Dialogue Series Public Policy Forum
• H.E. Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the Â鶹APP, on ¡°Human Capital and Building Forward Better after COVID-19¡±