The JMI Global Music Conference, to be held in Harare, Zimbabwe from September 18-22, 2023, is a timely and pertinent event in light of the considerable challenges currently facing the country's creative scene. The conference, which will feature a line-up of renowned speakers and music professionals, as well as performances by some of Zimbabwe's finest artists, such as Mokoomba, has the potential to make a significant contribution to the development and advancement of the country's creative industries. The JMI Global Music Conference is a significant event with the potential to make a positive contribution to the development of Zimbabwe's creative industries. By bringing together key stakeholders from the global music industry and providing Zimbabwean artists and creatives with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, the conference has the potential to address some of the key challenges facing the country's creative scene.
The Challenges of Zimbabwe's Creative Scene
Zimbabwe's creative scene faces a myriad of challenges, including:
Infrastructure challenges: The country has struggled with regular power outages for years, making it difficult to power equipment needed for music production, recording, and other creative works. The telecommunications infrastructure is also lacking, with unreliable internet access in many areas outside major cities. This presents challenges for online collaboration, digital distribution of work, and global connectivity for the creative sector.
Economic instability and poverty: High inflation and unemployment have left over 90% of Zimbabweans living in poverty, according to 2022 estimates. This limits the disposable income available to support local arts and entertainment. Currency instability following dollarization in 2009 also made it difficult for the creative economy to obtain foreign exchange needed for international business/tourism. This isolates local artists from global markets.
Lack of policy support: The Zimbabwean government's lack of policy support for cultural and creative industries is a major obstacle to their growth and development. The absence of measures to implement the country's cultural policy, as well as the lack of enforcement of copyright laws and the presence of strict regulations and censorship, all contribute to a challenging environment for artists and creatives. This lack of policy support is particularly concerning in light of the fact that culture is recognized by the government as a driver of soft power. Soft power is the ability to influence others through persuasion and attraction, rather than through force or coercion. Culture can be a powerful tool for soft power diplomacy, as it can help to build relationships, promote understanding, and create a positive image of a country.
The Zimbabwean government's lack of policy support for cultural and creative industries is therefore a missed opportunity to leverage soft power and promote the country's rich culture to the world. Strict regulations and censorship at times have discouraged free expression and limited the range of creative works produced within the country.
The JMI Global Music Conference: A Potential Solution?
The JMI Global music conference aims to begin addressing these challenges by providing skills training, networking opportunities, and potential partnerships that could help boost the profile, viability and global connectivity of Zimbabwe's music industry. Increased international collaboration may also help apply pressure for improved policies and investment in the nation's creative infrastructure.
The conference is designed to be a platform for sharing ideas and best practices, and to provide a space for networking and collaboration between Zimbabwean and international artists, musicians, and industry professionals. It is hoped that the conference will help to raise awareness of Zimbabwe's cultural contributions and talent, and to attract future investment and support for the country's creative economy.
The Potential Impact of the JMI Global Music Conference
The JMI Global music conference has the potential to make a significant impact on Zimbabwe's creative scene. By providing skills training and networking opportunities, the conference can help to develop the skills and knowledge of local artists and musicians, and to connect them with potential partners and opportunities. This could help to boost the profile and viability of Zimbabwe's music industry, and to attract new investment and support.
The conference can also help to raise awareness of Zimbabwe's cultural contributions and talent, and to promote the country as a destination for cultural tourism. This could help to create new jobs and opportunities in the creative sector, and to contribute to the country's economic development.
Conclusion
The JMI Global music conference is a timely and important initiative that has the potential to make a significant impact on Zimbabwe's creative scene. By providing skills training, networking opportunities, and potential partnerships, the conference can help to develop the skills and knowledge of local artists and musicians, to connect them with potential partners and opportunities, and to raise awareness of Zimbabwe's cultural contributions and talent. This could help to boost the profile and viability of Zimbabwe's music industry, and to attract new investment and support.
The upcoming JMI Global Music Initiative conference in Harare, Zimbabwe, promises to be an exciting event with speakers and delegates from all over the world. The conference is being organized by Music Crossroads Zimbabwe and will be held from September 18th to 24th, 2023. Melody Zambuko, Director for Music Crossroads Zimbabwe, said that the conference will feature speakers from a variety of backgrounds, including international cooperation specialists, festival curators, and arts funders. Some of the confirmed speakers include Yusuf Mohammad (owner and founder of Sauti Za Busara music festival in Zanzibar), Brahim El Mazned (founder and director of the Festival of Visa for Music in Morocco), and Ouafa Belgacem (founder of the Culture Fund Watch AAA platform and organization in Tunisia). Zambuko also noted that delegates from over 28 countries are expected to attend the conference, including Jordan, Macedonia, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, and China.
The JMI Global Music Initiative conference is a significant opportunity for Zimbabwean creatives to connect with international music professionals and learn about the latest trends and developments in the music industry. The conference is also a chance for Zimbabwe to showcase its rich musical culture to the world. For more information on the conference, please visit the JMI Global website: https://jmi.global.net .
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