Global South Arts and Health Week 2023 Births its First Edition

Yinka Olatunbosun

The inaugural Global South Arts and Health Week is set to take place from September 22 to 30. This global festival is billed to be held in Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt with decentralised activities in over 18 countries throughout Central and South American, Africa and Asia.

GSAHW was conceived with the purpose of advancing education, scientific research, and interdisciplinary practice of arts in health. It also hinges on creative art therapies as well as community-based art engagements in the Global South through a wide range of collaborations with local and international institutions.

Produced by the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship Project in collaboration with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, GSAHW provides a great exposure opportunity for research and practices of the use of arts in health and its therapeutic impact.

Speaking on the event, Christopher Bailey, Arts and Health Lead, World Health Organization and co-founding Director, Jameel Arts & Health Lab said, “WHO is always particularly interested in supporting underserved communities around the world. Yet in the field of Arts and Health, although most in need, they often have the most to teach as well.”

For Kunle Adewale, the Curator, Global Development Lead, Global South Arts and Health Week, GSAHW advances global solidarity to strengthen social change and increase social care.”

“It is a reminder of how the arts can transcend borders and bring people together for collaboration and community well-being. Despite our cultural identity, ethnicity, sexuality, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic background, GSAHW is a celebration of the inventiveness of our diversity.”

The Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship is an International network of students and professionals across disciplines, generations, and nationalities. This includes researchers, artists, performers, musicians, theatre artists, social scientists, policymakers, art therapists, music therapists, educators, administrators, artists, medical professionals, musicians, community leaders, academicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, humanitarianism, dancers, social workers, and social development practitioners among others.

The Fellowship offers theoretical and practical learning in the field of arts in health, professional development, mentoring, internships, cultural exchanges, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary collaboration to give fellows a global enriching experience with the world’s leading experts and institutions in the field of arts in medicine.

GSAHW was inspired by the creative engagements and multicultural collaboration from the Arts in Medicine Projects led Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship program, which has hosted an Arts in Health festival twice every year since 2018.

The Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship, through its Global South Arts & Health Week Project, collaborates with arts and cultural organizations, academic institutions, public and community health establishments, government agencies, diplomatic missions, local and international organizations, the private and public sectors, civic societies, NGOs, cultural producers, festival directors, and a team of interdisciplinary students and professionals.

This is a one-week curated and decentralised hybrid global event. It allows participants to connect physically and virtually in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and in the Global North.

GSAHW launches the first Olympic-style International arts and health program design that moves from one country to another country and continent per year with a parallel event. GSAHW collaborates with leading experts and emerging professionals across the Global South who are delivering similar creative engagements at the same time.

Global South Arts and Health Week International Convening features as Keynote Speakers: Prof. Dr. Hala Samir Eid Sweed from Ain Shams University, Egypt and Prof. Mona Rakhawy, Professor of Psychiatry at Cairo University, Christopher Bailey WHO Art & Health Lead amongst others.