Overall goal

The overall goal of the regional network is the strengthening and development of the children's and young peoples' theatre movement in Africa. ACYTA (African Children and Youth Theatre Arena) is a network of Assitej centres, enabling the participating countries to meet and to develop their work both artistically and structurally, while acting in a global context.

ACYTA was born out of a networking project that was primarily funded by SIDA (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) from 1999 to 2007.

Goals of this project were:
- To establish national theatre organisations for children and young people associations in each country in Africa (focusing primarily on Eastern and Southern Africa), and to bring them into this cooperation.

- To strengthen and develop the African regional links and to create a lasting working network system within the field of theatre for children and young people.

- To increase the co-operation within the region and with the global community within this field and to provide working tools for such a co-operation.

- To ensure fuller representation of Africa on an international level within theatre for children and young people and within ASSITEJ International.

- To ensure the sharing of skills in the pedagogy of working with and for children in performing arts and to develop different artistic means of making theatre.

- To contribute towards a better understanding and acceptance of the different traditions in different parts of the world of theatre for children and young people and by so doing, to also strengthen democratic values.

Activities of ACYTA

- Regional meetings

Regional meetings work as forums for the sharing of experience and knowledge and as discussion forums for the program itself. Regional meetings are organised at least once a year with at least one representative from each participating country in attendance.

- Regional workshops

Seminars and workshops, primarily of an artistic nature, are held on a regular basis in order to share experience and knowledge within theatre for children and young people.

- Festivals: pairing and collaborations

Existing festivals are linked to share resources or productions. Internships at festivals are explored to share knowledge and expertise.

- Joint projects

These are specific to the countries involved, and depend on common needs and interests.