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Initiatives of the African Union Commission

in promoting cultural diversity

for peace in the continent

Angela Martins, Head of Culture Division, Social Affairs Department, African Union Commission

he African Union has several fundamental initiatives

for the promotion of cultural diversity in Africa. These

include building a culture for peace and other similar

African Union programmes to contribute to the building of a

prosperous, peaceful Africa that is driven by its own citizens

and is a strong force in the global arena.

Culture concerns itself with socially transmitted behaviour

patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions and all other products of

human work and thought. Culture includes intangible and

tangible heritage which is varied, complex and in constant

evolution. The tangible heritage includes monuments or

architecture, art and crafts, sites, manuscripts, books and

other objects of artistic and historical interest. The intangible

heritage includes language, performing arts, music, festive

events, rituals, social practices, traditional craftsmanship and

knowledge, among other things.

Africa is endowed with a rich and diverse cultural heritage as

well as extraordinary ethnic cultural diversity. Much of Africa’s

cultural activity centres on the family and the ethnic group. Art,

music and oral literature serve to reinforce existing religious

social patterns. Communities range from rural cultures in which

cuisine, religions, dress, tribal roles and daily life have remained

unchanged for hundreds of years, to modern city environments

which feature a diverse mix of cultural influences. Music, art

and literature are culturally important and distinctive through-

out Africa, and have had considerable impact on other societies

around the world as well within the continent.

The Charter for African Cultural Renaissance adopted in

2006 by the 6th Session of the African Union Assembly of

Heads of State and Government regarding African cultural

diversity, identity and renaissance states that African states

recognize that cultural diversity is a factor for mutual enrich-

ment of peoples and nations. Consequently, they commit

themselves to defend minorities, their cultures, their rights

and their fundamental freedoms. It also states that cultural

diversity contributes to the expression of national and regional

identities and more widely to building Pan-Africanism.

Building a culture for peace

The development and sustenance of peace has been a focus of

concern for African leaders for several decades. The achieve-

ment of a culture of peace is an important pillar in the quest

for development, progress and the building of a prosperous

and peaceful Africa that is driven by its own citizens, and

which can be a strong force in the global arena.

All sectors of society, including the youth, have a critical

role to play for peace to be achieved. Pre-colonial Africa was

organized by effective peacemaking traditions of dialogue

and mediation starting at the local community level. These

traditions were based on respect for the wisdom and value of

elders (both men and women). It should be recognized that

African people, with their unique peacemaking traditions, can

make a major contribution to Africa’s peace processes and

the world historical transition to a culture of peace. The role

of traditional and spiritual leaders is critical in finding ways

and means to develop Africa’s own remedies and solutions

for conflict prevention, management and the promotion and

sustenance of a culture of peace in the continent. A culture

of peace should be a culture of human rights. The Universal

Declaration of Human Rights is the fruit of a reflection on the

destruction that is the result of war.

The African Union is devoted to the promotion of a culture

of peace in the continent by assisting in resolving a number

of conflicts and potential threats to peace and stability in

Africa. The role and activities carried out by the Panel of the

Women dancers learning an Ethiopian dance: music, art and literature

are culturally important and distinctive throughout Africa, and have had

considerable impact on other societies around the world

Image: African Union

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