Senegal Mon 26-03-2007

INCD Africa Launched
By a Correspondent

The International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD) is a worldwide network of artists and cultural groups dedicated to countering the homogenizing effects of globalization on culture.

The UNESCO Convention now has 54 signatories, of which 11 are African states. The goal is to increase the number of African states joining the Convention to 20 within the next year by which the governments, the African Union and other African intergovernmental institutions."

The decision to create INCD Africa was made during a recent conference, Vitalizing African Cultural Assets held at the Gorée Institute in Dakar, Senegal.

The office of INCD Africa will be in Dakar, Senegal in collaboration with the Senegalese Network of Socio-Cultural Actors, an important national umbrella organization, which brings together grass roots cultural groups.

INCD Africa Steering Committee, chaired by Jacques Béhanzin includes Lupwishi Mbuyamba, OCPA Executive Director Augustine Hatar, member of the OCPA Steering Committee.

Founded in 1998, INCD brings together more than 400 non-governmental cultural organizations in 74 countries. It has members in 23 African countries.