IAOA Co-Convenes International Dialogue on the Digital Future of Cultural and Arts Education in Africa

27 May 2026 — The International Academic Organizations Alliance (IAOA) co-convened the international dialogue “UNESCO International Arts Education Week in Africa”, held during UNESCO Culture and Arts Education Week (25–31 May 2026) under the theme “Openness · Heritage · Innovation: The Digital Future of Cultural and Arts Education in Africa.”

The event focused on cultural and arts education in Africa, Open Educational Resources (OER), digital innovation, youth participation, and international cooperation. It brought together speakers and participants from Africa, China, Europe, and other regions for an open exchange on how culture, education, technology, and youth engagement can jointly contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.

The dialogue was jointly organized by Africa Open University (AOU), the Liberia Academy of Sciences (LAS), the Global Youth Dialogue Among Civilizations Alliance (GYDCA), and the International Academic Organizations Alliance (IAOA), with the support and collaboration of the Liberian National Commission for UNESCO, the International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Biomass Energy Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, and Beijing Talent Technology Co., Ltd.

Participants joined online from different countries and regions, including Liberia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, China, and Europe. Although they were located in different time zones, the event reflected a shared commitment to cultural understanding, educational cooperation, youth development, and a more connected future.

Building an International Platform for Academic and Cultural Exchange

As one of the co-organizers, IAOA has been committed to promoting international academic exchange, cross-cultural dialogue, and youth cooperation. Through this event, IAOA worked with African and international partners to provide an inclusive platform for scholars, educators, cultural practitioners, institutional representatives, and young participants to exchange ideas and experiences.

Opening remarks by representatives of the organizing and supporting institutions emphasized that culture and education are essential foundations for identity, creativity, social continuity, and mutual understanding among civilizations. Speakers noted that cultural and arts education is not only about artistic skills, but also about history, memory, values, communication, and respect for diversity.

Focusing on OER, Digital Innovation, and Cultural Heritage

A central focus of the dialogue was the role of Open Educational Resources and digital technologies in supporting the preservation, transmission, and renewal of African cultural and artistic heritage. Speakers highlighted that Africa’s cultural resources — including oral traditions, music, dance, visual arts, local languages, storytelling, indigenous knowledge, and intangible cultural expressions — are not only treasures of the African continent, but also part of the shared heritage of humanity.

Participants emphasized that digital technology should not replace traditional cultural learning. Rather, it should help document, protect, transmit, and share cultural knowledge in ethical, community-based, and locally relevant ways. Digital platforms, virtual cultural exhibitions, mobile learning tools, open licensing frameworks, and low-bandwidth educational resources were discussed as possible approaches to improve access to cultural and arts education, particularly for young people and underserved communities.

Speakers Share Perspectives from Africa, China, and Beyond

Dr. Emmanuel Fred, President of the Liberia Academy of Sciences, Board Chairman of Africa Open University, and Assistant Minister for Operations at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Liberia, welcomed participants and delivered remarks on policy pathways for cultural innovation in Liberia. He highlighted Liberia’s oral traditions, music, dance, crafts, storytelling, and indigenous knowledge, while calling for stronger collaboration among educational institutions, cultural bodies, communities, youth organizations, and public stakeholders to support cultural preservation and education.

Mr. Yang Jianjing, representing the Global Youth Dialogue Among Civilizations Alliance, emphasized that “openness, heritage, and innovation” should be understood as a shared responsibility for young people and for the future. He called for cultural digitization that respects the spirit of heritage, and for innovation that serves inclusion rather than widening existing gaps in access to education and culture.

Prof. Yuguang Zhou, from the International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Biomass Energy Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, shared remarks from the perspective of sustainable technology and international cooperation. He noted that science, education, culture, and development are closely connected, and introduced cooperation in bioenergy, renewable energy, green agriculture, and international capacity-building. He also expressed interest in exploring future cooperation with Africa Open University and other African partners to organize renewable energy technology training programmes for African participants.

A scholar joining from Paris shared reflections on the role of youth-centered innovation and OER in expanding access to African cultural and artistic heritage. The speaker emphasized that technology should serve as an amplifier of cultural transmission, not a replacement for traditional practices, and that digital approaches should respect cultural identity, community values, and the creative role of young people.

Dr. V. Marshall Sambolla, Second Vice President of Africa Open University and Secretary General of the Liberia Academy of Sciences, spoke on culture and arts education in Africa before the technology age. His presentation reflected on traditional African education, oral knowledge, storytelling, community-based learning, respect for elders, and the role of culture in shaping identity and social responsibility. He noted that modern technologies can support communication and learning, while societies should continue to value traditional wisdom and local educational practices.

Mr. Stephen Essien, from Ghana, addressed the relationship between cultural identity and modernization. He observed that as African societies become increasingly digital and globally connected, cultural and arts education should help young people remain connected to their languages, histories, artistic expressions, and community values. He emphasized that technology should be used as a tool for cultural preservation and creative confidence, rather than as a force that weakens local identity.

Dr. Clinton Mutali Lichuma, from Kenya, discussed the relationship between culture, governance, community knowledge, faith traditions, and digital education. He highlighted the importance of documenting indigenous knowledge with community consent, supporting local languages, strengthening teacher training, and ensuring that digital cultural resources are designed with communities rather than imposed upon them.

Youth Reflection and Intercultural Understanding

A youth reflection was delivered by WEI FIONA, a Grade 8 student from an international school in Beijing. Drawing on her experience in Model United Nations programmes, she reflected on how young people discuss global issues such as environmental protection, poverty reduction, education, public health, and support for less developed communities.

She emphasized that cultural understanding should not remain only a concept, but can begin with practical youth actions, such as digital cultural exhibitions, short videos on intangible cultural heritage, online dialogues, and intergenerational storytelling. Her remarks highlighted the role of young people as learners, listeners, creators, and bridges between cultures.

IAOA to Continue Supporting International Academic and Youth Exchange

The dialogue reached a shared understanding that the digital future of cultural and arts education in Africa should be grounded in openness, rooted in heritage, and guided by responsible innovation. Culture and education are not only channels for knowledge transmission, but also foundations for youth development, social resilience, and mutual respect among civilizations.

As an international academic exchange platform, IAOA will continue to work with AOU, LAS, GYDCA, and other partners to support initiatives in cultural and arts education, open education, youth exchange, academic cooperation, and sustainable development. Through its journals, conferences, academic communication channels, and international cooperation network, IAOA aims to provide more opportunities for experts, scholars, young representatives, and institutional partners from different countries and regions to share knowledge and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Looking ahead, partners plan to hold the China-Africa Young Scientists Academic Exchange on 11 November 2026 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, providing a further platform for young scholars, experts, students, and institutions to deepen China-Africa and international academic cooperation.

Through this international dialogue, IAOA reaffirmed its continuing commitment to openness, cultural diversity, youth participation, and international cooperation. IAOA looks forward to working with global partners in a practical, inclusive, and sustainable manner to promote cultural understanding, educational collaboration, and a shared future for young people across Africa and the world.