Pan-African cultural congress in Addis Ababa.

Up to 300 experts in the field of culture including artists, researchers, administrators and institutional representatives are expected to gather in Addis Ababa for the first pan-African cultural congress from 13-17 November. Under the theme Culture, Integration and African Renaissance, the conference aims to review the cultural sector across the continent and harmonise policies and programmes as a way of promoting sustainable socio-economic development and better quality of life for all. Participants will examine eight specific areas: identity, citizenship and common African vision; culture, language and education; memory and heritage; cultural freedoms and rights and intellectual property; cultural development; the cultural dimension of development; the role and place of culture in Africa and the world; and cultural policies in Africa. The conference is to be held in the conference centre of the African Union with support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).