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.
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The Ministry of Culture and Tourism partnered with the UNESCO Field Office in Addis Ababa to gather cultural professionals, academics and artists for a ResiliArt debate on 06 May 2020. The panellists included Mr Henok Ayele, director of film and radio drama, Dr Bedilu Wagjira, writer and assistant professor of humanities, language studies and communication at Addis Ababa University, Dr Elizabeth Giorgis, associate professor of art history, criticism and theory in the college of performing and visual art at Addis Ababa University, Mr Bekele Mekonnen, professor of fine arts at the school of fine arts and design and Mr Manyazewal Endeshaw, director general of the National Theatre.
The creation of a national emergency fund for arts and culture to respond to the impact of Covid-19 on artists and cultural professionals was at the centre of the debate. Panellists reminded that this should be established based on international good practices. The debate additionally stressed the role of local authorities and youth in cultural governance and policy-making as well as the digital divide and lack of access to internet data being one of the major challenges to overcome in the next few years.
On 17 October 2020, a consultation was organised with the national team members in charge of elaborating Ethiopia’s quadrennial periodic report (QPR). The national team members were introduced the draft of the QPR and shared their comments and suggestions for its finalization. On 24 October 2020, a multi-stakeholder public presentation was held, gathering actors from various sectors, including from public institutions, civil society, academia and the arts. The public presentation was the opportunity to discuss the process and results of the QPR exercise as well as to reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on the cultural and creative sectors in the country.
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