UNESCO and i4Policy are partnering with the Worldwide Afro Network (WAN) to organize a ResiliArt: DontGoViral debate and concert in confinement. WAN is a creative platform that celebrates the convergence of music, leadership, and innovation in Africa.
On May 25, 2020, WAN will host a global virtual event featuring music performances, insights of African thought leaders, and an inclusive pan-African discussion on social media. At the heart of WAN is the belief that “most unexpected successes happen when diverse topics and people come together.”
Debate
This Special Edition ResiliArt: #DontGoViral highlights the crucial role music plays during lockdowns as well as during the recovery phase. Artists who have participated in the #DontGoViral campaign will shed light on the social and economic challenges they face and discuss how music can be a tool to fight disinformation. They will also highlight resilient cultural initiatives that have emerged across the continent.
The main objectives of the debate are to:
- Highlight the role of artists in combating the infodemic around COVID-19 in Africa and the diaspora,
- Discuss how cultural actors can co-create response and recovery initiatives to COVID-19,
- Raise awareness about the role of culture, music and artists in promoting resilience in crisis situations.
Participants
Moderator: Valeriane Gauthier (Journalist, France 24)
Panelists:
- Siti Amina is a singer and musician that uses Traditional Taarab Music to voice female centered change for the upcoming generations. As lead vocalist and Oud player of Siti & The Band, Siti Amina has expressed her story of domestic violence and patriarchy using her strongest tool; her voice. Freeing herself with her music, she now stands out in her society as strong leader and role model for the upcoming generation and is part of UNESCO’s #DontGoViral Campaign.
- Kareytse Fotso is a singer whose repertoire includes mangambeu, Afro pop, world music, soul music and Ethnic blues. In 2009, she won the Silver Medal at the Jeux de la Francophonie and participated at the first commemoration of the end of slavery. She has been an Ambassadrice de la Francophonie since 2017.
- Danny Lee is a rapper and founder of the “Raised Fists” Collective in Niger, which mobilized to raise awareness against the spread of COVID 19 in the country through music, with a particular focus on marginalized groups. The song of the collective “Protect your Life” is the winner of the best video category in the first phase of the #DontGoViral Campaign.
- Zolani Mahola is South African singer, actress and inspiration speaker. Since 2002, she has led the internationally acclaimed South African group Freshlyground. The group is best known for their collaboration with the Colombian singer Shakira on the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem “Waka waka (This time for Africa)”.
- Youssou N’Dour is a singer, songwriter, composer, businessman, and politician. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine described him as “perhaps the most famous singer alive” in Senegal and much of Africa. He served as Senegal’s Minister of Tourism from April 2012 to September 2013.
- Neila Tazi is Vice-Chairperson of the Moroccan Senate, as well as vice chairperson of the Moroccan association of the private sector. In 1998, she founded the emblematic festival Gnaoua of Essouaira, which became a global reference in world music festivals.
And surprise special guests!
Questions and themes
The ResiliArt: #DontGoViral debate will focus on fighting the infodemic through culture. It will also contribute to the understanding of the current state of cultural emergency.
Some questions include:
- What is the role of culture and cultural professionals in promoting resilience in the face of COVID-19?
- What positive impacts have you witnessed from the fight against misinformation through music, including the #DontGoViral movement?
- What is the role of artists from Africa and the diaspora in combating disinformation round COVID19?
- How has COVID-19 affected the livelihoods of artists in your country?
Format
This debate is part of the Africa Day Celebrations organized by UNESCO and will be held from 3:00-3:45pm (Paris time) on Monday, 25 May 2020.
The debate will be streamed on UNESCO networks. Viewers will be able to ask questions to the panelists using a chat function. Interpretation will be provided in French and English.
How to join the debate
You can join the debate at this address: bit.ly/ResiliArt. The link will go live on 25 May 2020.
For any question or inquiries, please contact UNESCO: [email protected]