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This is art for civic engangement

So what exactly is Art for Civic Engagement?

This is a project geared towards addressing the problem of a lack of forums for the youth to engage and participate in dialogues on issues of democracy and human rights through arts and culture.

We believe that the arts and culture have the capacity to invigorate youthful communities and civil society into creating a united advocacy front strengthening active citizenship and social cohesion at a community and national level.

For us, we think this is a crucial moment and opportunity to systematically reconstruct a resilient civic fabric and shared democratic space championed by young people and capable of inducing systematic change and reframing the present narrative of survivability to one of sustainability and resilience.

We want to address the problem of lack of forums for the youth to engage and participate in dialogues on issues of democracy and human rights through arts and culture. We believe that the arts and culture have the capacity to invigorate youthful communities and civil society into creating a united advocacy front strengthening active citizenship and social cohesion at a community and National level.

We think this is a crucial moment and opportunity to systematically reconstruct a resilient civic fabric and shared democratic space championed by young people and capable of inducing systematic change and reframing the present narrative of survivability to one of sustainability and resilience.

Why this? And why now?

Several media reports indicate that different social groups of people in Uganda for example political and human rights activists face human rights violations such as arrests, intimidations, police brutality and kidnaps .

The country’s democratic and civic space has been shrinking. The 2018 statics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) show that the youth are the biggest part of the population (> 75%). The recently released National Household Survey Report (2019/2020) by UBOS shows that 54% of the population is below 18 years of age. All those aged below the age of 18 years are considered to be minors and defendants. There is a high risk that more than 50% of the total population will be exposed to poverty, unemployment and other social challenges because decisions are by a small group of the population (> 25%) without holding them to account.

Several media reports have indicated that some of the decision makers are corrupt and are less accountable, a problem that further expands the poverty gap and misuse of public resources.

The youth constitute more than 70% of Uganda’s population yet they are underrepresented in leadership positions. There is a risk that this lack of meaningful representation and participation at key political positions where policies are passed does not only limit youth’s awareness and engagement on the peripheral view of democratic discourses but also, it will eventually lead to the collapse of the leadership pyramid in terms of age groups.

Through this project, we’ll increase awareness and provide open creative safe spaces for youth engagements on democracy, corruption and human rights issues through creative performances, culture and art exhibitions, and public
dialogues. Putting and amplifying young people at the center of co-creating change through the arts and culture.

Who is Art for Civic Engagement for?

Artists and Cultural leaders, Youth Community leaders, Youth and Academics: This includes youth artists, musicians, actors and actresses, cultural producers, writers and journalists (editorial cartoonists), civil society organizations and human rights defenders.

Young people who are able to use their craft to educates the citizenry and influence public opinion through creative art, music and performances as well as talk shows and publications.

The project is geared towards helping Ugandan youth to establish a movement that advocates for social change.

What do we hope to achieve?

To build an effective, inclusive and accountable institutions through art-led movements using the approaches activism, social justice organizing, and grassroots engagement.

Increased civic participation of the youth in governance issues that affect the socio-economic and political development of the country through the use of creative arts and culture.

To offer alternative, unconventional and innovative approaches of civic community engagement informed by playfulness and interaction putting the artist at the frontline of social change.

KQ HUB AFRICA...

Based in Uganda, East Africa, KQ Hub Africa is a fully registered non-profit Media, Art, Culture organization + creative studio working with and for young people to shape the future of contemporary Arts & Culture scene in Uganda.

We work with the next generation of young cultural and artistic movers from across visual, performing & digital arts — to inform, inspire and co-create new artistic & cultural experiences. We connect with this generation of cultural movers, creative geniuses, activists, researchers and thought leaders to identify the impactful ideas and trends that are coming next for our partners.

OUR PARTNERS

This Project is brought to you by KQ in Partnership with grass-root organisations from across Uganda. Below are some of the partners we've worked with to promote a vibrant and active citizen participation on societal issues.