It is in this context that the African Union adopted the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance of 2006 and the AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries, which advocate for the development of creativity and cultural expressions to ensure that identity, positive values and traditions are transmitted from generation to generation. The Pan-African Cultural Congress was established as a platform for Pan-African Cultural Institutions and Civil Society Organizations working on the arts, culture and heritage field to provide their contribution to the policy making process of the African Union. The Congress provides opportunity to share the progress made in implementation of the continental and global instruments to harness Africa’s cultural diversity towards the cultural renaissance, deepened African cultural identity, socio-economic development and shared prosperity called for by the AU Agenda 2063.

African Culture can be introduced to the world without colouring their perceptions with conflicts old and new; research indicates that peoples’ attitudes towards others cultures are more positive when similarities are stressed rather than differences. Arts and Culture have always been a bridge between education and entertainment. From the earliest time, theatre, music, folklores and films have been used to spread news, share history, or educate people about events outside of their communities. Cultural Diplomacy engage people, focusing their attention and actively involving them in an experience. Active involvement means that their emotions, not just intellectual or cognitive skills, are affected. It is this ability to touch emotions that allows arts and culture to influence attitudes in ways that traditional instructions cannot.