Creative Industries Business Summit: A Landmark Event in Lusaka
Summit Highlights
The Creative Industries Business Summit, a joint initiative by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts and Unicaf University in Zambia, concluded successfully on June 21, 2024. The event, hosted at the Unicaf University campus on Kasangula Road, brought together a diverse array of creatives, regulators, policymakers, investors, practitioners, the business community, academia, and arts consumers. This landmark event was designed to foster business conversations and collaborations within the creative arts sector under the theme: “Building Competitiveness in the Creative Industry for a Sustainable Sector that Contributes to Economic Development.”
The summit provided a unique platform to explore the dynamic landscape of SMEs in creative industries, uncover the latest trends shaping the creative economy, and delve into the tools and programmes essential for sector growth. Key topics included the intersection of creativity and business, updates on industry trends and challenges, and best practices in areas such as technology, funding and policy changes. Attendees also benefited from capacity-building sessions, panel discussions, and lectures aimed at enhancing both artistic and business skills, covering crucial areas like marketing, branding, copyright, and enterprise development.
Distinguished Speakers and Guests
The summit was graced by several distinguished guests, with The Minister of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Mr. Chipoka Mulenga delivering an inspiring speech highlighting the vital role of the creative arts in national development. He underscored the importance of involving qualified academicians in the sector’s advancement and encouraged collaboration between Unicaf University and the Zambia Tourism Agency to promote Unicaf University’s state-of-the-art campus as a tourist attraction.
Unicaf University in Zambia Vice-Chancellor, Dr Christine Phiri Mushibwe and Permanent Secretary in charge of Arts, under the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts, Mr Fumba Chama, delivered moving opening remarks. Mr Fumba, an accomplished artist himself, sketched the vision for the summit aimed to significantly foster a competitive and sustainable creative industry in Zambia.
Commitment to the Creative Industry
The Government of the Republic of Zambia recognises the creative industry’s potential to drive economic growth, cultural development, social inclusion and innovation. By raising awareness about the value of the arts, promoting arts education, and advocating for supportive interventions, the government aims to empower this sector as a cornerstone of national development.
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