The post-millennium world has been experiencing recognisable historical milestones with regard to arts, culture and heritage. One notable milestone has been the resuscitation and revival of creative elements of the arts, culture and heritage of previously marginalised or disadvantaged communities around the world. Previously there was scant regard for and skewed allocation of resources for skills development and other essential initiatives for different races. Lately, with particular reference to South Africa, attempts have been made to promote and sustain a culture of democracy and development based on national imperatives to enable the socio-economic aspirations of a multicultural society. Through government initiatives such as the Department of Arts and Culture’s White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage  (1996 as revised in 2013), the 2010-2014 Medium Term Strategic Framework, and the adoption of the National Development Plan (NDP) with its vision for 2030, the primary objectives are: to play an important role in nation building (social cohesion and moral regeneration); to create decent work; to grow the economy and transform the country into a truly democratic, equitable and just society that respects and preserves the rights of all people. These objectives are also encapsulated in the Department of Arts and Culture’s Programme of Action which includes the following primary objectives: continuing democratisation of society based on equality,  non-racialism and non-sexism; ensuring an equitable, sustainable, and inclusive socio-economic growth path that provides for decent work and sustainable livelihoods, and implementing targeted programmes for the youth, women, workers, rural populations and people with disabilities.

In addition, the Charter for Humanities and Social Sciences (2011) calls for studies and research in the humanities and social sciences in order to preserve and promote indigenous and endogenous languages, community practices and development, political economy and internationalism. All these policies are in line with UNESCO’s position on Arts, Culture, Heritage and National Development with an emphasis on mutual respect and tolerance for cultural diversity, equitable human resource development and the promotion of literature and cultural industries.

Significantly, despite their noble intended outcomes, these objectives are not only encountering problems and challenges in South Africa but also globally, hence the need to  deliberate on identified problems and challenges within an international forum of this nature. The conference therefore seeks to explore and to interrogate whether the 21st century’s lofty ideals such as the creation, production, dissemination, transmission and consumption of the Cultural and Creative industries are being realised. While the conference is primarily informed by South Africa’s various policy papers, we are inviting local and international scholars to contribute their own experiences in the context of the given theme and sub-themes.

To submit papers, posters and workshops, see IFACCA's International News listing.

For further information about the conference, see the external link below.