Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, extended an invitation to more than 120 artists worldwide to consider hosting one of their upcoming congresses in Uganda. She made this invitation during her participation as a guest of honor at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Congress of the International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA) in Dresden, Germany. The event was organized following an invitation from IAPMA President Franziska Leischker (Fides Linien) and The Xsabo Foundation.
IAPMA, with 652 members from 56 countries, is a prominent organization in the realm of paper artists. The congress featured an accompanying exhibition called “PAPER ALIVE!” that showcased 82 artworks from over 30 countries, emphasizing the interplay between papermaking, contemporary art, and societal impact.
The Xsabo Foundation, a Ugandan non-profit organization, provided funding for the IAPMA Congress 2023 and related events in Germany. This foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of The Xsabo Group, which focuses on Afro-European commercial diplomacy and renewable energy initiatives for sustainable economic growth in Africa. Notably, this marked a unique instance of an organization from the Global South fully financing a major international event in the European Union.
Matthias Roessler, President of Parliament, expressed his acknowledgment of the uncommon financial support provided by a Uganda-based Afro-European foundation for an international event in Germany, highlighting the global nature of economic success today.
Minister Amongi emphasized the significance of her delegation’s visit to Germany, particularly as Uganda’s creative sector is still in its early stages. She aims to gain international insights to better support the sector within her ministerial mandate. She also stressed the importance of cultural exchange and the role of art and cultural heritage in fostering international understanding and cooperation.
Amongi committed to promoting art in Africa through collaborations with other art ministers within Africa and on international platforms.
Matthias Roessler, the President of Parliament, viewed Minister Amongi’s presence in Dresden as an opportunity to strengthen the mutually beneficial bilateral relationship between Uganda and Germany. Uganda is the focus of economic cooperation activities by the Free State of Saxony.
Alobo, the CEO/Managing Director of The Xsabo Group and Chairman of The Xsabo Foundation, shared insights into Uganda’s efforts to provide a safe and supportive environment for displaced individuals from neighboring troubled countries and beyond.
