ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 3, 2015/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
The 1st Meeting of the Bureau of the 4th Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC4) kicked off on Wednesday 25 November 2015 In Harare, Zimbabwe.The three (3) day meeting was jointly organized by the AU Department of Social Affairs and Government of Zimbabwe, through its Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage.
In declaring the meeting open, the Honorable Abedinico Ncube, Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture Heritage of the Republic of Zimbabwe pointed out the importance of the meeting to the achievements of the African Union Agenda 2063 especially its Aspiration five (5) on culture and heritage and which is in line with the 4th Pan-African Cultural Congress Framework for Action. The Honorable Minister further mentioned that the prioritization of culture and the arts within the tenets of sustainable development cannot be ignored and that is why the PACC4 Framework for Action and its Implementation Plan should propose ways for the contribution of culture and the arts in the development of the nations. The Hon. Minister urged the PACC4 Bureau Members to reflect on their mandate to guide the processes of the AU 4th Pan African Cultural Congress.
In his statement of support, His Excellency Ambassador Mussie Hailu the representative of the Presiding Officer of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) stated that one of the objectives of the PACC4 Bureau Meeting was to: “Reflect on the collaboration between PACC4’s structures and AU-ECOSOCC”. He considered this as a key and very important factor due to ECOSOCC’s mandate to enhance the work of Civil Society Organizations Africa and of PACC as it brings together African cultural workers and actors.
Ms. Angela Martins, Head of Culture Division at the Department of Social Affairs, AUC expressed gratitude to the Government of Zimbabwe for hosting the 1st Bureau Meeting of the African Union 4th Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC4). She also expressed gratitude to the participants of the Meeting who responded positively to the invitation letter for the Bureau Meeting aimed at developing a concrete plan and resource mobilization strategy for the implementation of the PACC4 Framework for Action.
The PACC4 Bureau Meeting was attended by the Members of the Bureau, a representative from the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), Representatives from Pan-African Cultural Institutions, Senior Officials of the Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage of Zimbabwe and staff of the African Union Commission (AUC).
