Development Talk

TEDAfrica 2008

 

February 13, 2008

Based on the idea that there is no greater force for changing the world than a powerful idea’ TEDAfrica is a sister conference to the TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Conferences that are held annually in Monterey, California. These conferences are not limited to Technology, Entertainment and Design as the name suggests, but have grown to also encompass a wide variety of topics which include, science, music, the arts, politics and other global issues.

TEDAfrica 2008

The idea to host TEDAfrica came about as a result of the success of the TEDGlobal conference that was held in Tanzania last year, due to the evident need for a platform that focused specifically on the unique and pertinent challenges that Africa faces. Therefore TEDAfrica will be held for the first time here in Cape Town, South Africa, from the 29th of September to the 1st of October 2008.

 

 

If the Africa conference is anything like its sister conference which had over 50 speakers and 1000 delegates in just 4 days, then this is an event that every great mind in Africa should be attending. Such a conference recognises that Africa has its own unique challenges that are not shared by our western counterparts and that meaningful interventions and solutions should come from within the continent itself. It therefore encourages us to take charge of our situation and take responsibility for its change and our future.

 

It also provides a huge opportunity for networking and it is an open space for Africans to stretch their minds, challenge the present as well as birth new and innovative ways of tackling our current challenges and even go further by suggesting strategies that will prevent future problems. It is also a good platform to recognise and celebrate the great minds Africa has, as well as our achievements thus far. Such a platform also shatters political boundaries and allows Africans a collective view of our situation and yet at the same time maintaining their own specific identity.

 

I hope that Africa will grab this opportunity and gain as much from it as it can offer.

Patience Mungwari (Development Works)

Filed under: Africa, TED, design, technology, web 2.0 — @ 2:16 pm

Four way choice in Zimbabwe

 

February 11, 2008



With just under 8 weeks to go before the elections, last week saw the announcement of the failure of the 2 MDC factions to form a coalition for the upcoming election in March. Talks between the two party leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, collapsed after their failure to agree on the selection of candidates in the election.  The other dramatic turn in the week was the announcement by Simba Makoni, a former Finance Minister and member of the ZANU PF politburo, that he would be contesting the elections as an Independent. Makoni has for a long time been viewed as a possible successor of Mugabe who would be acceptable to the people of Zimbabwe, as well as the international community. If the reports that Makoni is being supported by senior members of ZANU PF are true, then his coming in can be viewed as providing an alternative leadership for the disgruntled members of the ruling party who are no longer satisfied with the current incumbent, Mugabe. This will be the first time that President Mugabe has actually had someone from the ruling party opposing him. This could also be viewed as a tangible sign of a rift with the ruling party which for the past 28 years projected an image of being united and is a huge blow. 


 


The MDC has welcomed Simba Makoni’s entry into the presidential race.  His entry could result in one of the two MDC candidates deciding to unite with Simba Makoni in the coming elections.  The negative impact of his entry is that it could divide the MDC support base in the urban areas. There are some circles in Zimbabwe who are viewing his entry as another ZANU PF gimmick thrown in to disorient the voters. 


 


 


The people of Zimbabwe have over the last 7 years yearned for change in Zimbabwe.  However the absence of an electoral environment that is conducive for a free and fair election has hampered these efforts. The weakened opposition had eroded any prospects of reforms in Zimbabwe. However the coming in for Simba will divide the ruling party and provide an opportunity for reformists within and outside ZANU PF to emerge. The election will not necessarily bring about meaningful change but could merely usher in a shift in the balance of power within the ruling party.


 


But more importantly what do all these happenings mean for the common man on the street who is going without basic food, water, electricity and power? Do they have any hope in an election, to they believe in democracy? Will they even go to vote this year? Do they have the desire, the energy or even the power to do so? Are the people of Zimbabwe still looking for a change of governance? Or do they just want an end to their hunger and lack of basic amenities?






	


	
	
	
Filed under: Makoni, Mugabe, Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe, election —   @ 2:23 pm 












	 
building the arts in developing countries
 
February 6, 2008
	
	

		


In January 2008, the South African Arts Symposium was hosted by the John F. Kennedy Center Institute for Arts Management in Cape Town,  South   Africa.  Sianne Alves from DEVELOPMENT WORKS attended  and gained much knowledge on  how to build the arts sector.


 


The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has developed and presented arts management programs in Mexico, China, Pakistan, and the 22 Arab Nations. Through its Institute for Arts Management, the Kennedy Center offers practical training in strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and institutional branding.  Successful programs around the world have demonstrated the value of strengthening these efforts, especially in countries where government support for the arts has been traditionally strong and is now declining.  


 


The South African Arts Symposium focused on developing resourceful and forward-thinking solutions to the many challenges facing arts leaders in South Africa today. The seminar included strategic planning, fundraising, and marketing of the arts. This important initiative also presented and promoted the arts as crucial to the preservation of the culture and heritage in South African society.  


 


Participants from organizations that create or present any artistic discipline: music, dance, theater, visual arts, film, cultural preservation attended the symposium, with some members traveling as far as Johannesburg to participate in this event.


 


Michael M. Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center, a key note speaker at the symposium provided direction on the many challenges being faced by artists in South Africa today. Kaiser’s advice and strategic direction is readily available online as the Kennedy Center has developed a free valuable online resource as part of their outreach programme. 


 


The online resource provides solutions to management challenges faced by many of today’s not-for-profit organisations. These resources includes models in strategic planning; case studies by arts leaders currently working in the field; a resource center for management challenges and finally an Ask facility where you can submit questions and receive free practical advice. All these resources can be found at www.artsmanager.org


 


Other exciting opportunities for leaders or managers in the arts discipline are offered by the Kennedy Centre through their International Summer Fellowship Programs for developing countries.


The International Summer Fellowship Program provides practical experience and instruction for up to 20 managers currently working in international not-for-profit performing arts organizations. This full-time, four-week intensive program takes place in July 2008 and includes classes, seminars and practical work experience in the Kennedy Center’s fundraising and marketing departments. Individuals selected for this program will return to the Kennedy Center for ongoing professional development for a total of three consecutive summer sessions. Lodging, per diem, travel, and materials are provided at no cost to participants. Further information can be found at:


http://www.kennedy-center.org/


 


 

	


	
	
	
Filed under: arts, arts administration, cultural issues, development, fundraising, marketing —   @ 2:29 pm