This meeting is organised in collaboration with the 'Reseau Africain des Promoteurs d'Evenements Culturels' (RAPEC) with a view to reinforcing the vision by the professional partners, particularly those from the African Diaspora, about the relations between culture and development in Africa, putting particular emphasis on the link between creative industries and economy. A plenary session with eminent persionalities will be devoted to the general theme. It will be followed by three round tables of experts and the conclusions by the rapporteur. The public will assist on invitation.

For the Culture Sector, this activity contributes to the implementation if the strategy of the Approved Programme and Budget for 2008-2009, which foresees the follow up of the Plan of Action for Cultural Industries in Africa (Nairobi, 2005). This Plan of Action weas also treated by the Khartoum Summit of African Heads of States (2006). For RAPEC, this meeting - in French - will be followed by others in Africa, in prepartion of a summit of Cultural Managers whose conclusions will be submitted to the African Union.