Activities >> Communication

Networking and Promotion

Objective:

• To promote an active network for exchange of information and experiences.
• To better promote the immovable cultural heritage of Africa and also the AFRICA 2009 programme.
  

Results:

As in previous years, the most important method of networking has been bringing together professionals and directors at various courses, seminars, and meetings to provide a forum for exchange of information on the regional level. The programme has also continued with a number of activities aimed at better networking and promotion.

• The AFRICA 2009 web site was redesigned during 2002 to provide easier access and navigation, and also to provide more information on the programme and African heritage in general. For the first time, the site also has a French version so that it is now accessible to most members of the network.
• The email distribution list continues to function as a means for dissemination of information on the programme and on other possible issues of interest to the network. The list currently has 256 members up from 150 when it was started during 2000.
• The database of past participants and others that are interested in the programme continues to be updated regularly. Preliminary discussions have been held with other institutions in the region (PMDA, EPA, AFRICOM, WAMP) to determine if it would be possible to have a centralized database.
• The second AFRICA 2009 Newsletter was published in June 2001 in both French and English and was distributed by mail and at AFRICA 2009 activities. It has also be placed on the web site. In 2002, the programme used 2 members of the network, Goodman Gwasira (English) and Sekou Kobani Kourouma (French) as editors to help gather information from network members.
• The 14 panel exhibition developed in 2001 was updated and translated into French. This exhibit promotes both the AFRICA 2009 programme and immovable cultural heritage in Africa in general. In order to strengthen this second aim, the programme has begun to add 1 or 2 specific panels on the heritage of a particular country. In 2002, panels were prepared for Gabon.
• AFRICA 2009 helped with the design and mounting of an exhibition, L’Architecture des Kassena du Burkina Faso, Une expression des espaces au féminin (The Architecture of Kassena in Burkina Faso, An Expression of Feminine Spaces). The exhibit was created by Amélie Essesse with the aid of CRATerre-EAG. The exhibit was shown at the Paris City Hall as part of the International Day of Women, the Embassy of Burkina Faso and the René-Binet also in Paris, the Lycée Polyvalent A. Chérioux in Vitry sur Seine, and the towns of Mably and Limonest.