ADS 2024, Sub-theme 3 – Arts and Culture
In Focus
In case you missed it
- Relive the High-level Policy Dialogue, featuring the participation of the heads of the UN and the AU as well as the President of Senegal
- Watch the recording of the International Webinars that took place on 8 May, 15 May and 22 May respectively.
- Watch the recording of the Youth Stages that took place on 9 May, 16 May and 23 May (English | French) respectively.
- Read our new policy briefs titled STEM Education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in Africa with a Focus on Generating Decent Jobs for Africa's Youth, Transforming Education in Africa by Leveraging Innovative Finance and the Digital Revolution and Education and Learning in Crisis-affected Areas.
Week 3 | Day Five — 24 May
We are wrapping up the third week of Africa Month with the following content from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), highlighting a vibrant and dynamic arts and culture scene in Africa. Let us reflect on the messages of this content, as they related to the week's sub-theme of "Education and learning in crisis-affected areas," and continue to mobilize action to shift policies and mobilize actions that accelerate Africa's development. Connect with us on social media with the hashtag #ADS2024 and share your thoughts. Join us next week for the High-level Policy Dialogue.
UNHCR Presents
Emi Mahmoud performing "Di Baladna" (Our Land)
World champion poet and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, wrote the poem, Di Baladna, which means Our Land in Arabic, following a series of discussions with refugees living on the front lines of the climate crisis in Bangladesh, Cameroon, and Jordan. The individuals she spoke to represent millions of displaced and stateless people around the world who are currently living in climate vulnerable “hotspots” yet adapting to an increasingly inhospitable environment, despite the limited resources.
JJ Bola performing his poem entitled “Refuge”
is a writer, poet and educator, former refugee born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is passionate about empowering people to transform their lives. The author of several fiction and non-fiction books JJ Bola also works closely with UNHCR in using the power of the written and spoken word to speak to refugee experiences. His poem “refuge” was read by Cate Blanchett and Ke Huy Quan at the opening of the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.
UNICEF Presents
You Can Count On Me
Angelique Kidjo performs this song as part of UNICEF campaign to eliminate tetanus. A portion of proceeds for downloads of the song, “You Can Count on Me,” will provide tetanus vaccines to pregnant women and mothers.
She is a four-time Grammy Award winner and is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force with thirteen albums to her name. The West African singer and songwriter was appointed a in 2002.
A passionate campaigner for children's rights, climate change and girl's education, Angélique has travelled widely to advocate for UNICEF-supported programmes.
Africa, One Of A Kind
Angelique Kidjo performs in collaboration with Mr Eazi and Salif Ke?ta in this video. The song focuses on the diversity of culture, language, and beauty of Africa. Praying for the goodness and prosperity of Africa.
Young Boy / Young Girl
This song is taken from the album Stop the Hate by globally acclaimed musician . It speaks to young people to arise and take actions for a better world and life.
Femi Kuti was born Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti in 1962 in London. He is the son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, and grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. Femi's musical career started at the age of 15 when he began playing in his father's band, Egypt 80. He then went on to start his own band, Positive Force.