Among other notable developments, last year Malawi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India to strengthen cooperation, cultural diplomacy and economic development through arts and culture. Our Arts and Culture Correspondent HOWARD MLOZI caught up with Humphrey Mpondaminga to shed more on how Malawi was benefiting from the arts and cultural exchange programmes. Excerpts: Q: This month we saw the Malawi National Dance Troupe performing in India. Was this a coincidence?
A: This was not a coincidence. This was a very remarkable experience for the group. It was not only a celebration of our nation’s artistic excellence, but also a clear reflection of Malawi’s ongoing commitment to promoting cultural diplomacy and creative exchange at the international level. This also aligns perfectly with Malawi’s key policies and frameworks that guide our work in the arts and culture sector for example, the Malawi National Cultural Policy, which emphasizes on the promotion and preservation of Malawi’s cultural heritage and encourages international cultural exchanges. The troupe’s performance in India reflects this vision by showcasing our rich cultural expressions and customs to an international audience. Secondly, the trip reflects our aspirations to market Malawian creative products to the world as propounded in the Malawi 2063.
Q: How significant are cultural exchange programmes?
A: Well, these cultural exchange programmes are significant at the global level as well as at the national level. For instance, they promote mutual understanding and peace.
You can agree with me that cultural exchange helps people from different countries understand and respect each other’s traditions, values, and ways of life. This reduces prejudice, builds friendships, and promotes peaceful international relations. Again, it helps in preserving and showcasing cultural heritage. Through exchange programmes, nations share their cultural expressions like music, dance, language. This does not only help preserve culture, but also allows other countries to appreciate and learn from it.
Furthermore, the cultural exchange programmes help in the knowledge and skills transfer by allowing artists, and professionals to learn new techniques, management styles, and artistic methods from other countries. If we relate to the national policies in Malawi as well as other policies at the global level, we can appreciate that these cultural exchange programmes are the tools for strengthening diplomatic and international relations.
Q: Tell us more about the Malawi-India MoU, which was signed last year?
A: I am pleased to mention that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Republic of Malawi and the Republic of India, which was signed last year will strengthen cooperation between Malawi and India in the field of arts and culture. This agreement marked an important milestone in Malawi’s efforts to promote cultural diplomacy and sustainable socio-economic development through arts and culture. The MoU builds upon Malawi’s National Cultural Policy and aligns with the Malawi 2063 Vision, which recognises culture and creativity as an important element for inclusive economic growth. Through this partnership, Malawi will enhance technical skills, artistic innovation, and international exposure among its cultural practitioners.
Q: What are the priority areas of this MoU?
A: As highlighted in the key areas of cooperation under this MoU, some of the areas of focus are capacity building and knowledge exchange, such as training for artists, cultural managers, and ministry officials in areas like intellectual property management, cultural entrepreneurship, value addition to creative products, and mainstreaming of new technologies to arts and culture. The agreement also promotes exchange programmes, internships, and study tours for students, artists and cultural professionals from both countries. In addition, the MoU provides for joint cultural performances, exhibitions and festivals, including the showcasing of Malawian cultural expressions in India and vice versa. Such initiatives foster mutual understanding and appreciation of cultural expressions, while also positioning Malawi as a key player in the global creative economy.
In summary, the Malawi India MoU represents a strategic partnership that will not only promote artistic and cultural exchange, but also contribute meaningfully to Malawi’s broader development goals by strengthening the foundations of its creative economy and enhancing the visibility of Malawian culture on the international stage.
Q: What is the role of arts and culture in Agenda 2063?
A: The Malawi 2063 has propelled arts and culture as a tool for economic development, and the recent trip to India helped to market Malawi’s creative products to the world. We also directly contribute to the Unesco Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005), to which Malawi is a signatory. By participating in international cultural exchange programmes like the visit to India, Malawi fulfils its commitment to the promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.
Q: How best can Malawi utilise cultural exchange programmes?
A: Malawi can best utilise cultural exchange programmes by adopting a strategic and coordinated approach that aligns with national development goals. This can be achieved by strengthening partnerships between Government institutions, cultural organisations, and international agencies to ensure that exchange programmes promote both cultural preservation and economic growth. For Malawi, the arts and culture sector is still growing, there is need for the country to invest in such areas as the capacity building of artists and cultural professionals. We can use cultural exchange programmes to develop the sector.
Additionally, Malawi can use these programmes to market its tourism and creative industries by showcasing creative products like music, dance, crafts and fashion to international audiences.
