Reshaping Cultural Policies for the Promotion of Fundamental Freedoms and the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has partnered with UNESCO in the implementation of the project “Enhancing fundamental freedoms through the diversity of cultural expressions” (2014-2018), leading to the organization of consultation meetings with government and civil society representatives, workshops on policy monitoring, the successful completion of a second Quadrennial Periodic Report (QPR) in 2016 and the identification of key areas for future policy action. In that context, two important strategies inspired by the principles of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural expressions have been adopted: the National Cultural Policy (2015) and the Film Policy (2017). As part of the second phase of the project, Ethiopia is partnering again to build on the results achieved so far, sustain the policy dialogue mechanisms and platforms established, and monitor policy priorities in view of the third periodic report to be submitted by April 2020. Follow-up activities will also draw linkages between policy monitoring and policy implementation, notably regarding the operationalization of the film policy to enhance access to cultural life, gender equality and artistic freedom.
Over 250 cultural professionals gathered in Addis Ababa to attend the public consultation meeting co-organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to discuss the future of Ethiopia’s cultural policy and steps to implement its recently adopted Film Policy (30 April 2019).
Professionals from a wide range of creative sectors – film, dance, music, book, and visual and performing arts – were present at the consultation. Over a daylong consultation, they concluded that the urgent needs for art councils and funds, support to civil society organizations, professional training and education institutions, and transparent rules and regulations for copyright management are shared across artistic disciplines. Film producers and filmmakers’ professional associations called for a transparent implementation of legal framework to support the sector’s value chain, from production to dissemination and access.
A national training workshop was organized in Adama, Ethiopia, from 24 to 26 February 2020 by the UNESCO Office in Addis Ababa, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport. The national team composed of a variety of stakeholders from various ministries, government institutions and civil society organisations attended the workshop. Focusing on the methodology on how to elaborate Ethiopia’s quadrennial periodic report following the 2005 Convention’s Monitoring Framework, the workshop enabled the participants to identify a first set of policies and measures to be reported. During this three-day meeting, participants trained on data collection and sharing of policies, measures and good practices that protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions. The workshop created an opportunity for networking and dialogue between civil society and government on the need to formulate innovative, forward-looking and evidence-based cultural policies in various sectors.