Global Play Brigade Expands Footprint to Africa
The Global Play Brigade,
an international movement that uses play across borders to build community and connection, creating new possibilities for social transformation proudly launched its regional hub in Africa at its inaugural virtual forum held on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.
This significant event was attended by almost fifty key stakeholders from across Africa, including play activists, psychologists, educators and directors of institutions.
The event began with an introduction by Executive Director Rita Ezenwa-Okoro, followed by an engaging play activity and a screening of a short video showcasing the ‘BECOMING’ journey of the Global Play Brigade, led by Founder Cathy Rose Salit.
Brigadiers Elizabeth Adams, an educator from Nigeria, and Alex Sutherland, a performance activist from South Africa, delivered insightful presentations.
Adams shared her experiences integrating play beyond the classroom to strengthen bonds among teachers and expand their imagination of what’s achievable through play in their classrooms and communities.
Sutherland, a former professor of Applied Theatre at Rhodes University, highlighted her work with young people in prisons and a forensic psychiatric hospital, emphasizing the transformative power of play and performance in these settings.
The forum concluded with a thought-provoking statement from Executive Director Rita Ezenwa-Okoro on the importance of incorporating play into daily life across all age groups.
Rita Ezenwa- Okoro further emphasized the detrimental effects of a lack of play, stating that “Without play, we get stuck. Individuals get stuck. Families get stuck. Communities get stuck. Nations get stuck. Indeed, these days, the whole world appears stuck in old roles, stale performances, destructive games, and emotional turmoil.”
Rita Ezenwa-Okoro further expressed her commitment to helping Africa break free from stagnation caused by poverty, corruption, and conflict, calling for help from attendees to co-create a demand for the integration of play across various sectors on the continent.
Attendees pledged to volunteer their time to support the cause of Global Play Brigade Africa, and participants were encouraged to join the upcoming Global Play Shop event titled “Playtelligence: Play and Learning Beyond Borders,” scheduled for June 28 and 29, 2024.
For more details about the upcoming event visit: http://globalplaybrigade.org/global-playshop.
Global Play Brigade was established in 2020 during the pandemic as an organized creative community that provides emotional, social, mental and creative support in times of crisis through play.
For more details email: hello@globalplaybrigde.org or visit; https://globalplaybrigde.org and visit our social media handles@globalplaybrigade.