Ouagadougou: The Order of Architects of Burkina Faso has successfully organized a creative and painting workshop, ‘Stars and Canvases of Hope,’ for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Panzani, a district in Ouagadougou. The event ran from May 27 to 29, 2025, under the theme ‘Internally displaced children, youth and women for reconstruction in Burkina Faso,’ extending the activities from Architects’ Week / EXPOBAT 2025.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the workshop was supported by the Ministry of Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity and mobilized various national and international organizations, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Yaam Solidarity Association, and Vivo Energy. This collaborative effort provided a platform for internally displaced children, youth, and women to explore and express their artistic talents.
The three-day workshop aimed to uncover the dreams and hopes of the participants while addressing their psychological wounds, thus fostering social and psychological reconstruction. The event was inaugurated by several local authorities and dignitaries who emphasized the importance of art in healing and building resilience.
In his address, Keneth Ehouzou, UNFPA’s representative in Burkina Faso, highlighted the initiative’s role in offering healing and resilience to the displaced. He emphasized that art provides a means for these individuals to reclaim their lives and actively participate in their own reconstruction. “UNFPA is supporting this project because it aligns with our mission to protect and provide psychosocial support to vulnerable populations while promoting inclusion, social cohesion, and human dignity,” he stated.
The artworks created during the workshop will be auctioned at a charity evening scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Azala Hotel. The proceeds from this event will be used to further support initiatives aimed at benefiting internally displaced persons.