Are you a passionate artist committed to promoting peace and security in Africa? Apply for African Union, Leveraging Arts for Peace invites all artists for training on Silence the Guns in Africa. The program aims to teach artists about the importance of not using their art to promote conflict, hate speech, or violence. It will educate them on how artists can play a crucial role in promoting peace through their artwork.
About the African Union, Leveraging Arts for Peace
The African Union (AU) has a plan called “Silence the Guns in Africa” to bring peace to the continent. They understand how important it is to involve regular people and organizations (civil society actors) in this plan. The AU is working to include these actors in activities related to peace and good governance at different levels in Africa. They want everyone to play a part in promoting democracy, good governance, and lasting peace and security.
To make more people aware of the plan “Silence the Guns in Africa” and to contribute to the theme of “Arts, Culture, and Heritage: Levers for Building Africa We Want” in 2021, the AU organized a seminar in Accra, Ghana, from 14th to 16th December 2021. This seminar focused on how arts, culture, and heritage can help achieve peace in Africa. Young artists from all regions of the continent participated in this event. They had the chance to learn about the AU’s efforts for peace and security and how they can support this initiative in their own countries and communities. It was a great opportunity for these young artists to be part of building a peaceful Africa.
Program details
After the successful seminar in Accra in December 2021, there will be more training for African artists. This time, it will be a virtual training from August 14 to 18, 2023. The training is about how artists can use their talents to promote peace. Art can help prevent conflicts by making people aware and promoting understanding in communities.
During the training, artists will learn about their important role in advocating for peace through their art. They will also be introduced to the concept of “Silence the Guns in Africa,” which is the African Union’s effort to promote peace and security. Other topics include conflict prevention and how to support communities after conflicts. The training will teach artists effective ways to promote peace and reach out to others through their art.
Program Objectives
The training is scheduled before Africa Amnesty Month (observed in September) to encourage African citizens to give up illegal small arms and light weapons to the government. It targets artists from all regions of Africa and aims to educate them about using art responsibly. The training seeks to achieve the following:
- Raise awareness about silencing guns to the public.
- Mobilize African citizens and stakeholders to support the continental campaign for silencing the guns in Africa, leading to a conflict-free Africa and promoting socio-economic transformation.
- Increase awareness about the negative impact of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons on the continent of Africa.
- Encourage individuals in possession of illegal arms to surrender them to designated authorities in exchange for amnesty
Eligibility Criteria and Qualification
To be eligible for the African Union, Leveraging Arts for Peace training, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You must be an African Artist who has shown a strong commitment to promoting sustainable peace and security.
- Both established artists and young women artists are encouraged to apply, including displaced persons and persons with disabilities.
- You should be a citizen of any African Union (AU) member state.
- Having at least a secondary school qualification is necessary.
- Being an established artist is important.
- Experience in promoting and supporting peace processes, especially through art and community engagement, is required.
- You should have a good track record with the local community where you work.
- You should be proficient in either French or English languages.
- It’s preferable if you can attend the training using a computer.
- You need to be available and willing to participate in the online training for 5 days, with 2 and a half hours of training per day and 2 hours of homework daily.
Deadline for Application: 25 July 2023
How to Apply
To apply for the training, follow these steps:
- Click on the application link provided
- Read through the information given on the form.
- Click “NEXT” to start the application process.
- Follow the instructions and fill in the required details.
- If there are any file upload questions, you will need to sign in to your Google account and upload the files to the form owner’s Google Drive.
Overview
Types of opportunity: Training Program
Deadline: 25 July 2023
Open to: All Artists.
Duration: 5 days, 14th to 18th August 2023.
Location: Virtual
Organizer: African Union
Country: AU member states in Africa.
Inquiry
For queries email abrahamk@africa-union.org
For more information visit the official website of the African Union
