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Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

New plans to boost the Arts |15 May 2008

New plans to boost the Arts

 
Minister Meriton addressing guests and participants at the launching of the conference yesterday

Held yesterday at the International Conference Centre, the meeting was also an opportunity for the different partners – such as the Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (Senpa), Seychelles Tourism Board, the attorney-general’s office and Concessionary Credit Agency – to present the NAC with their input towards the development of arts in Seychelles.

Opening the conference, Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Vincent Meriton said such an initiative will bring the NAC closer to the artists and will be the precursor to many such consultative gatherings.

Mr Meriton said the Constitution of Seychelles guarantees the right to freedom of expression as well as the right to cultural life, and those rights are further explained in the cultural policy and in the NAC’s own constitution.

 “As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the third Republic, and as we review our Constitution, let this power be used to promote the art of living peacefully,” he said.

“Let the arts continue to be the instrument to promote our uniqueness as a pluralistic and multicultural society, expressing ourselves in three different languages and sharing one of the smallest countries in the world.”

Now the NAC has acquired new autonomy and more direct responsibilities, it will act in an accountable and more proficient manner towards artists, he added.

Mr Meriton reminded artists that the NAC is commissioned to organise, develop, promote and encourage continuous participation in the arts and foster a spirit of co-operation in reaching high standards.
 
“In short, the role of the NAC is that of a facilitator between you, the arts producers and consumers. The council is mandated to advise, assist and provide training, guidance and facilities as well as grants to artists and associations who are seriously engaged in the development of the arts,” he said.

He ended by expressing the ministry’s appreciation for its partners’ involvement in formulating an agreed five-year strategic plan for arts development in Seychelles. Together, they provide a platform for those involved in the arts to come together and forge partnerships in pursuit of their goals.

The conference followed a course organised last month by the NAC, with the Seychelles Institute of Management, to help different associations prepare the five-year strategic plans they submitted.

Based on the concerns and recommendations raised by the associations in their presentations, the NAC will now work on its own strategic plan, which will be submitted to the government.

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