release HHWS

[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]
Contact: Nova Smith
Hip Hop World Summit
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INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COUNCIL PRESENTS:
THE 2004 HIP HOP WORLD SUMMIT IN PARIS, FRANCE

New York, New York: The International Music Council (IMC), in association with UNESCO, The African Marketplace, Inc. and Cultural Engineering, LLC, announces the Hip Hop World Summit (HHWS), to take place on November 12-14, 2004 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
The HHWS, under the patronage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and funded in part by a generous grant from the Ford Foundation, coincides with and commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Hip Hop movement and offers an opportunity for the world to reflect on its impact while working toward its future development. As such, this year's three day Summit is the first of what will become an annual international exploration and celebration of Hip Hop.
The Summit is intended to recognize and cultivate the significant international presence of Hip Hop on the social, cultural, political, economic and artistic expressions of the global community. From its humble beginnings in the marginalized neighborhoods of the 1970's South Bronx, New York to a current international phenomenon, Hip Hop serves as the medium for varied communities to manifest social change and voice their unique, often underrepresented perspectives.
Through performances, seminars, workshops, films and art the HHWS will highlight the extraordinary impact of Hip Hop on worldwide culture, politics, and economy. The participants are an international assembly of performers, scholars, journalists, music professionals and government officials brought together by the powerful influence of the Hip Hop movement.
Scheduled activities include pre-launch events on November 11, 2004 with Hip Hop Ambassadors and government officials as well as the HHWS Keynote Address on November 12, 2004, which will be delivered by Chuck D , activist, commentator and founding member of the seminal Hip Hop group Public Enemy. Additional activities include workshops and panels highlighting each of the four essential elements of Hip Hop (Mc'ing, Deejaying, B-Boying and Graffiti) and other topics critical to the international development of Hip Hop.
The HHWS is the brainchild of IMC Secretary General Damien Pwono , who recognized Hip Hop's incredible presence in the global arena and its immense power as a form of cultural expression. IMC, by virtue of its continued commitment to advocating the cultural contributions of diverse musical forms, is instrumental in supporting the HHWS as an international dialogue on and commemoration of Hip Hop. Founded in 1949 at UNESCO's request, the IMC has developed over the years into a highly influential network of knowledge and experience that touches on every aspect of music. Present on all continents, with a membership consisting of 76 national committees and 34 international member organizations, the IMC became the world's leading professional organization dedicated to the development and the promotion of diverse music. Located in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, the IMC is charged with developing cross-cultural musical exchanges via education, performance, research and documentation.

For further information on the Hip Hop World Summit, please visit
www.hiphopworldsummit.com