91�鶹������Ʒ����

The second -Kenya debate took place on 25 June 2020 and focused on“Democratizing the Digital Space.”  Under the theme Crafting and Reshaping the Creative Economy for Resilience and Sustainability in the context of COVID19, the riveting discussion debated how creatives could leverage the dynamic and interconnected digital ecosystem, and explored the roles various stakeholders played in stimulating the creative industry, where inequalities have been accentuated by the COVID19 crisis.

In her opening remarks, Ms Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta also encouraged panelists to propose concrete recommendations on the way forward for the creative sector in Kenya.

The forum recognized that inequities have been further entrenched by the COVID-19 pandemic, where digital acceleration has become a necessity, significantly impacting the creative ecosystem. The current status particularly disadvantages small scale traders and small creative entrepreneurs whose creativity does not easily appropriate the digital space. The urgent need to build structures that close the gap in affordability and access to technological infrastructure was discussed, calling on the need to leverage technology for creativity to be appreciated in a sustainable and scalable way, while safeguarding the critical voices of diverse artistic expressions.  

The need to advocate for digital services as a public good accessible to all through appropriate policy and legislation, financing, infrastructure, and governance was highlighted. Through the debate, the cultural sector was urged to lobby for the right policy frameworks and mechanisms that positively impact the entire creative ecosystem. 

 This second ResiliArt|Kenya debate featured a prerecorded video performance by Kenyan musician , who performed his current hit “Plandemic” on his Nyatiti, as a “Corona Refugee in Denmark”, while a time-lapse action painting by Kenyan Visual Artist was  displayed. 

Panelists included: Mr. Charles Murito (Country Manager, Google Kenya); Ms. Nanjira Sambuli (Policy Analyst and Advocacy Strategist in ICT); Mr. James Wamathai (Blogger and co-founder of Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKe), and Dr. Njoki Wamai (Assistant Professor, International Relations and Politics, USIU). The debate was moderated by Ms. Joy Mboya (Director, The GoDown Arts Centre).

A series of ResiliArt|Kenya debates are being organized by UNESCO Nairobi Office, in partnership with the Kenya Ministry of Sports Culture and Heritage, the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, the Creative Economy Working Group, Twaweza Communications, Alliance Francaise and The GoDown Arts Centre.