Delegates Issue “The Algiers Declaration” as a Roadmap for the Protection and Promotion of African Creators
Writers & Directors Worldwide joined a prestigious roster of attendees in Algiers on the 14 and 15 September at the largest meeting of its kind ever held in Africa. After two days of discussion and with delegates from 18 African countries present, an unprecedented new relationship had been formed between international organisations and local authors societies to better protect and promote the work of African creators.
The event, titled “African Screenwriters, Writers and Music Creators from Here and Abroad” was organised, in conjunction with the Algerian government, by the International Confederation of Authors and Composers (CISAC), the Algerian Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Office (ONDA), the Pan African Composers’ & Songwriters’ Alliance (PACSA), Writers & Directors Worldwide, and the International Council of Music Creators (CIAM). Crucially, a number of pan-African creator and copyright organisations were also in attendance including the Pan-African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI), the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) and the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI).
Opening the meeting with the Algerian Minister of Culture, Azzedine Mihoubi, CISAC Director General Gadi Oron recognised and welcomed the efforts of the Algerian state in the field of copyright protection and the development of African culture. He also recognised and encouraged the continued efforts of ONDA in the organisation of training courses for staff from societies responsible for the collective management of authors’ rights in African countries and for having initiated these meetings.
There followed two full days of updates and discussion including a presentation on “The Audiovisual Campaign" from the Writers & Directors Worldwide President, Yves Nilly, and a break-out session with FEPACI General Secretary Cheick Oumar Sissoko, Regional Secretary of North Africa Abdenour Zahzah and Councelor Laza regarding the upcoming launch of the Pan African Alliance of Screenwriters and Directors.
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