Arterial Network Meeting

The Arterial network is a pan-African network of civil society organizations involved with cultural matters, and the GoDown is a member of the network. In response to the need identified at the Arterial Conference for local experts on cultural policy, held in Johannesburg in September 2009, a two-day seminar was hosted by the GoDown in Nairobi. The event hosted and supported the attendance of 25 delegates from countries across Africa including Liberia, Uganda, South Africa, Senegal and Mali. The seminar, which dealt in depth with international, regional and national cultural policy instruments, took place on 25 and 26 November 2009.

The key aim of the seminar was to develop Arterial Network positions on particular cultural policy matters and to develop experts who would represent civil society perspectives on such matters in local and global forums.

The meeting also aimed at introducing participants to some of the primary international cultural discourses and prioritizing cultural policy themes relevant to Africa. This Arterial Network meeting agreed on plans and mechanisms for pursuing and articulating cultural policy and discourse relevant to Africa. It also put on plans for engaging concretely with the Nairobi Plan of Action on Cultural Industries.

The meeting also resolved to focus on research and opportunities to share information across the network through blogs, as well as monthly seminars to discuss various relevant issues to the sector, which the GoDown is managing on behalf of the Kenya Chapter. From 2010, The GoDown will have the privilege of hosting the Arterial secretariat regional office.