Harare — ARTISTS the world over have been urged to engage their national leaders in funding, developing and using the arts for national development.

The call was made at the World Summit on Arts and Culture held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 22 to 26.

The summit that attracted members from over 70 countries -- was co-hosted by the National Arts Council of South Africa in conjunction with the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies, of which Zimbabwe is a member.

Dr Thokozile Chitepo led the Zimbabwean delegation that comprised Angeline Kamba, Doreen Sibanda and Elvas Mari of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.

"One of the critical things that happened at the summit was the formation of an African chapter of the federation.

"During that time we agreed to use the arts as a vehicle of engaging leaders in funding, developing and promoting the arts. We looked at the benefit of using the arts for national interest," said Mari. Several speakers who included Minister of Arts and Culture of South Africa, Lulu Xyngwana, Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia Grange, while renowned South African author and academic Professor Njabulo Ndebele gave the keynote address.

"Prof Ndebele spoke about the arts as a vehicle for inter-cultural dialogue, which underpinned the theme 'Meeting of Cultures: Creating Meaning Through the Arts'," explained Mari. He said Zimbabwe was one of the founding members of the Federation whose summit is held after every two years. "We are currently in the process of consulting with stakeholders on the possibility of hosting the 2013 conference," he said.

The first summit was held in Canada in 2001, while the second and third summits were held in Singapore (2003) and the United Kingdom in 2006 respectively.