Yaoundé hosted a training workshop on the rights of artists, initiated by Arterial Network. The advocate in charge of Artwatch Africa and pilot training program, Diana Ramarohetra, tells us more.

Yaoundé recently hosted a workshop on the rights of the artist which concentrated more on cultural aspects. Can you tell us more?

Good evening to your readers and thank you for giving me the platform. Can I go ahead?

Go ahead, please?

Voila, my name is Diana Ramarohetra and I am in charge of Africa Artwatch of Arterial Network project. It is a Pan African Association of NGOs also regrouping a number of artists, cultural operators and even lawyers or doctors -conscious development of culture.

Tell us a little more about Artwatch Africa’s workshop which has just closed?

Artwatch Africa is one of the Arterial Network’s flagship projects that have been in existence since 2011 and which delivered the first publication of a report on freedom of creative and artistic expression in 2013.

The report gave an inventory of the situation of freedom of artists in the African continent. This year we are witnessing the second phase of this project through the establishment of a training that focuses on the theme of human rights, cultural rights and the rights of artists.

This training aims to educate artists about their rights, to agree on so-called artist's Law, to involve people working for human rights in this context because an observation made was that NGOs working for human rights do not work with artists which are very important.

How did you find the training to be, were the participants receptive? Did they make suggestions you thought were relevant?

The discussions were interesting, I enjoyed them. I believe that many things have been done, but it would be pretentious to say that this is the top of the top, because there is so much to do. Otherwise, I found very relevant positions that each participant took most especially their involvement. I also congratulate them because I expected a little bit of laid-back attitudes which was not the case at all.

You know, especially when one is confronted with claims like, “how are we going to go about it? The state does nothing for us, etc”. There were very positive responses and goals. During this training, each artist took into account his rights, but also a research because he had responsibilities. This is because one should be able to prove that there is a role to play with regard to development of society.

How was the selection of participants done?

There were no castings (laughs). We received eight participants from regions other than those from the Central, and others were residents of Yaoundé. However, we initially thought of making it a mobile training, but unfortunately we were pretty late and obviously everyone had constraints and was a little busy. Otherwise, from next year a major campaign will be established. It is also the reason why we invited people from the outside who may later extend the project in their own region.

What is next?

After this training, Arterial Network will implement a number of programs in Cameroon, as needed, for there was a list of priorities which was established in rights. Of course, we can also dwell on things that have already been made and support, especially that date. It is in these moments our national chapter of Arterial Network Cameroon, ‘Qu'interviendra’ will implement various advocacy campaigns.

Did Diana enjoy her stay?

Well, not really (laughs). It was too short because I 'm leaving already. Even though it was my second visit, I hope the third will allow me to discover the wonders of this country that are much talked about.