World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture
Held every year on 24 January, World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture celebrates the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world, reinforcing UNESCO’s mandate to promote respect for cultural diversity and human creativity around the globe. As a rich source of the world’s shared heritage, promoting African and Afrodescendant culture is crucial for sustainable development, mutual respect, dialogue and peace.
UNESCO adopted 24 January as the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture at the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2019. This date coincides with the adoption of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance in 2006 by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union. Celebration of this day also aims to promote the widest possible ratification and implementation of this Charter by African States, thereby strengthening the role of culture in promoting peace on the continent.
"On this World Day, it is not simply a single, individual culture which we are celebrating, but a multitude of cultures of exceptional diversity. We are also honouring artists from every country and in every field – from film, music and dance to fashion and design, all creative industries which sustain artists – in order to foster the African cultural renaissance."
Message from the Director-General - UNESCO
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Safeguarding the living heritage of African and Afrodescendant cultures
Africa’s vibrant and rich living heritage plays a fundamental role in building a strong cultural identity and shared values across the region, which are key to achieving peace and development outcomes under the African Union Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage provides a platform to mobilize international cooperation and assistance for stakeholders and raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding the living heritage of African and Afrodescendants communities as lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace.
Giving international visibility to the living heritage of African and Afrodescendant communities is an important safeguarding measure, strengthening the viability of their living heritage and ensuring its transmission for the well-being of future generations. Inscriptions may provide the opportunity for African and Afrodescendant communities to ensure that their experiences and needs in safeguarding their living heritage are taken into account, while involving them in decision-making processes that concern them and their heritage.
What UNESCO does for African and Afrodescendant culture
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