New Memorandum of Understanding Formalises Collaboration with Pan African Composer and Songwriter Alliance
June 11th marked a key moment for music creators in Africa with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PACSA, the continental alliance for Africa, and CIAM, the global music creator alliance. The MOU promotes cooperation and international harmony among CIAM and its partner alliances.
Signed by PACSA President Sam Mbende, and CIAM President Eddie Schwartz, the MoU’s goal is to establish moral and legal principles between the partner alliance and CIAM. This includes, among others:
- Proactively coordinating activities and communications in CIAM’s role as the unified global voice of music creators;
- Advocating and supporting the legal and moral rights of music creators;
- Promotion of the reputational and commercial interests of music creators and their musical works;
- Promotion and advocacy for high quality, accurate data identifying musical works and initiatives to improve data quality and accuracy;
- Supporting collective management organisations and promoting the equitable inclusion of music creators in their governance structure.
PACSA includes 35 African songwriter and composer societies as members and represents over 16,500 composers and songwriters in Africa. CIAM, established in 1966, is the global voice of some 500,000 professional music creators, uniting organisations on five continents. CIAM defends the professional environment for music creators, as well as promoting their cultural, economic and legal interests.