Film screening of ‘Genesis’
Genesis the film is about biodiversity loss and human consumption. An open discussion followed about perception of people on the short film and how art and culture can play a role in conveying powerful messages.
Face painting
We created a cultural-plurality-unification activity wherein participants painted their faces with their preferred media and create unique design/ color canvases. Participants were encouraged to bring face-painting media ranging from the modern world such as cream/ cosmetic products, extending to traditional world media like sand/ mud/ alternative natural pigments, from our native lands – mainly local, everyday materials, which reflected the diversity in the identities and experience of people.
The idea is about dealing with modern and traditional worlds on the one hand and ‘erasing’ the original color of the skin on the other hand. In the end, participants were not differentiated by the color of the skin but from the final artwork made on their faces. The exercise empowered the defining of oneself in hers/ his own terms and breaking down programmed barriers of racial and social differences.
Talks with artist Michel Platnic and ReGenesis mobilizers
Critical discourse on race and racial construct. Participants also engaged on an interactive session to elaborate on why they chose specific colors and designs for face painting, and how it felt to carve out something unique for themselves.
About R40
The meeting of the #Resilient40 convened changemakers to influence African and international negotiations responding to climatic change in Africa, including contributing to the UK preparations for COP 26. Discussions allowed the group to formulate key next steps and a framework for continuing and strengthening the network’s impact, as well as providing space for the emerging young leaders to share expertise and ideas from across the continent and with those from the UK. It built on the regional and cross-continent relationships and strengthened new connections.
