Word from the Executive Director
I am honored to introduce our association in its conception. The African Consortium of Art
Therapy is the first non profit organization that uses traditional African medicine as a
concept for therapeutic art.
This organization is playing a key contribution to the suffering people. Healing is very important since Africa is suffering from several types of crises. Diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and other mental and physical health ailments have left millions of people in unspeakable suffering. Many more are in constant danger from war or are trapped inside prisons. Severe stress and trauma are caused by mass unemployment and many women and children bear the brunt of this. In all of these cases, the individual is forced to use their own resources solve their problems which involves a great deal of creativity.
Many African left their countries and are disseminated all over the world. This Diaspora is a big lost for the African continent. Their contribution is very important. With the African Consortium of Art Therapy chance is given to all the African in Diaspora and the Africa in the “Mother Land “to share, communicate and exchange their values. They will meet, organize, workshops, conferences, seminars and publish their research. The consortium gives the opportunity to people who have qualification in their home country to upgrade their practice and also to use their cultural knowledge not only within their community abroad but also for African descendant in Diaspora.
Words cannot express how much gratitude the Association has for everyone who has given their compassion and assistance to our cause. We have received generous support from the private sector, non profit organizations, researchers, government agencies, artists, universities, foundations, international health institutions, religious organizations, and volunteers.
The formation of our organization has been inspired by the European Consortium of Art Therapy, Australian Association of Art Therapy, and by the British and South African Associations of Art Therapy.
The mission of the African Consortium of Art Therapy is to give people the creative tools to help them overcome the indescribable terrors in their lives. We invite everyone to join: we are without prejudice. In this moment, Africa has the powerful opportunity to build on and unite their cultural values.
Traditional wisdom must at last, come to the rescue of modern knowledge. The secrets of the sorcerer, medicine man, and witch doctor must be shared with the modern generation. By using masks, story telling, and dance, we give tools to our youth that help them stimulate their bodies, minds and souls.
Moving forward, our association desires to establish an intercontinental network with other art therapy organizations, where a standard code of ethics and protocol would be established. This reference tool would help to make the aspirations of our organization more measurable, specific, and most importantly attainable. The African Association for Art Therapy would like to thank the countless individuals for their continuing efforts and support.
Dr. Duam Bangala