Diaspora Creatives' Insight at UNESCO's Dialogue with the African Diaspora

In effort to foster inclusivity and support for African artists in the diaspora, UNESCO organized the event "Afrikanische Diaspora in Dialog" in Vienna on November 20th, 2023. This gathering brought together representatives from the African Diaspora, including artists and institutions/organisations, alongside key Austrian institutions committed to addressing the challenges faced by African artists. Diaspora Creatives was part of the invited organizations.

The event served as a platform for discussions, where issues related to the mobility of arts and visa challenges were shared among the diverse participants. Central to these discussions were the harsh stereotypes that impede the movement of African artists, restricting their ability to share their cultural richness globally.

© Österreichische UNESCO-Kommission/Bauer

The challenges articulated by the participants were toped with collaborative efforts that led to the formulation of solutions and recommendations aimed at improving the current situation. A significant development arising from the event is that the results of the workshop (the issues alongside the comprehensive recommendations listed by the Diaspora stakeholders) were documented and will be published. Among the key challenges discussed was also the stringent visa requirements and the associated high expectations placed on artists. These hurdles inhibit the free flow of artistic expression and hinder the cultural exchange between Africa and Europe. The participants also highlighted the financial struggles faced by Diaspora organisations in securing funding for their artists, further limiting the diaspora's cultural influence.

An optimistic highlight emerged as African Diaspora organisations representatives indicated their essential role of being bridges for Austrian institutions seeking to engage with the African Diaspora. These organizations play a crucial role in facilitating collaboration and providing opportunities for cultural exchange.

The "Afrikanische Diaspora in Dialog" workshop served as a catalyst for positive change, fostering an environment of collaboration, understanding, and shared responsibility. As the results and recommendations are documented and prepared for publication by the Austrian Commission for UNESCO, the hope is that these insights will lead to tangible actions and policy changes supporting the mobility and visibility of African artists in Austria.

© Österreichische UNESCO-Kommission/Bauer

This event underscored the importance of collective efforts in dismantling barriers and fostering a more inclusive and equitable space for African creativity to thrive. The commitment demonstrated by the participants reflects a shared vision of a future where the rich contributions of African artists are celebrated and embraced on a global scale.

Find out more about the event on the UNESCO page.