FACES of a RE-IMAGINED AFRICA
Imagination is the most democratic force: the domain of freedom
The Gorèe Institute was the venue for the Arterial Conference in March 2007, and is a close partner to www.imagineafrica.com, having integrated the theme of an Imagine Africa Agora – a meeting place for the re-imaginings of our continent – for the past three years within the Institute’s strategic plans.
Under the banner of Imagine Africa at the Gorée Institute, projects are facilitated and partnerships sought to gather together a community that subscribes (in a multiplicity of ways) to the vision of a re-imagined Africa. It is a vision of empowered citizens who act creatively within their personal and collective environments - despite everything that mitigates against it. This vision is frequently articulated through art and cultural practices of all kinds. Hence the coupling of culture as one of the core businesses together with development and the promotion of democracy, within the Gorée Institute for Democracy, Development and Culture. We are a Pan-African organization that facilitates actions, commissions research and holds a space for peace-keeping activities, dialog and community development. www.goreeinstitute.org
The Imagine Africa Agora is a way of focusing our attention, reminding us to shift our compass bearings; to steer towards an other north. It is a direction, if not a destination. An intention, comprised of persistence and partnership.
Faces of a Re-Imagined Africa is a series of monthly articles from the Gorée Institute about people who wipe the dust from their faces, look up, and get on with it. It is about projects and activities that embody a trajectory into the future by taking even a small single step forward. Some of these people have impressive international reputations and high social standing, while others are not even always known to those they serve. Several of these projects emanate directly from the Gorée Institute whereas others operate independently, but resonate with a similar pulse that makes us kin. Many of these visionaries live physically in Africa; while for others it is their heart (and probably also their soul) that resides here. What unites all of these people and their actions is their appreciation of the constant tension between what is and what could be. And their commitment to walking that edge.
The Gorèe Institute was the venue for the Arterial Conference in March 2007, and is a close partner to www.imagineafrica.com, having integrated the theme of an Imagine Africa Agora – a meeting place for the re-imaginings of our continent – for the past three years within the Institute’s strategic plans.
Under the banner of Imagine Africa at the Gorée Institute, projects are facilitated and partnerships sought to gather together a community that subscribes (in a multiplicity of ways) to the vision of a re-imagined Africa. It is a vision of empowered citizens who act creatively within their personal and collective environments - despite everything that mitigates against it. This vision is frequently articulated through art and cultural practices of all kinds. Hence the coupling of culture as one of the core businesses together with development and the promotion of democracy, within the Gorée Institute for Democracy, Development and Culture. We are a Pan-African organization that facilitates actions, commissions research and holds a space for peace-keeping activities, dialog and community development. www.goreeinstitute.org
The Imagine Africa Agora is a way of focusing our attention, reminding us to shift our compass bearings; to steer towards an other north. It is a direction, if not a destination. An intention, comprised of persistence and partnership.
Faces of a Re-Imagined Africa is a series of monthly articles from the Gorée Institute about people who wipe the dust from their faces, look up, and get on with it. It is about projects and activities that embody a trajectory into the future by taking even a small single step forward. Some of these people have impressive international reputations and high social standing, while others are not even always known to those they serve. Several of these projects emanate directly from the Gorée Institute whereas others operate independently, but resonate with a similar pulse that makes us kin. Many of these visionaries live physically in Africa; while for others it is their heart (and probably also their soul) that resides here. What unites all of these people and their actions is their appreciation of the constant tension between what is and what could be. And their commitment to walking that edge.
Posted at
Monday, May 19, 2008
Organised by the Strømme Foundation in partnership with the Goree Institute. [
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home