The Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace Network Plus (CUSP) is a consortium of 12 partners working across 6 countries. Our research, split into three strands, will propel us to achieve two collective aims:

  1. Strengthening LMIC arts and cultural institutions/organisations to become a reference point for the identification and transformation of social conflict, including gender-based violence, coercion and injustice.
  2. Ensuring equal participation of women and girls, including in leadership roles, in artistic and cultural work for peacebuilding, whilst attending to environmental justice.

During the launch on IWD 2021, we formally introduced our network and collaborative partners and workpackages in Occupied Palestinian Territories, Ghana, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Mexico and the UK. 

We had performances from NOYAM African Dance Institute, Ghana, and Ignite Theatre Group, UK. 

Crucially, we heard about the small grants programme provided by sister network Changing the Story, as we prepare to launch our own CUSP small grants programme.

For more information see the CUSP N+ website.

On this day, UNESCO Chairholder Prof Alison Phipps also lent her voice to the celebration with a contribution to this beautiful video.


First published: 8 March 2021