Connect 360 — All Change

Connect 360, supported by the British Council Literature’s Working Internationally grant programme, brings together three writers – Francesca Beard (UK project lead and All Change Associate Artist), Priya K (Malaysia), Hilda Twongyeirwe (Uganda - Femrite) - whose practice involves community activism and engagement - and their diverse community of writers in London, Kuala Lumpur .

From Spring 2021, through a programme of online creative workshops and conversations this global ‘community of communities’ met, shared ideas and skills, built connections and developed understanding. Together they made new work, which was shared and celebrated with a live event as part of All Change’s annual WORD2021 Festival in London and online (1-10 October 2021). CONNECT 360 - cultural exchange and arts activism was a Zoom event which took place on Saturday 9 October 2021 - part of WORD2021. Part 1, hosted by Priya K featured live spoken word and poetry performances by participants in all 3 countries. Part 2 featured a creative conversation with the writers and communities involved in CONNECT 360, hosted by Chole Richard and Davine Kawuma in Uganda.

Richard Chole and Davina Kawuma in Kampala, chair a conversation with writers Francesca Beard, Priya K and Hilda Twongyeirwe for the Connect 360 event on 9 October 2021. — Chole Richard and Davina Kawuma in Kampala, chair a conversation with writers Francesca Beard, Priya K and Hilda Twongyeirwe for the Connect 360 event on 9 October 2021.

What does community mean for us as writers?
What are the global stories that will not forgive silence?

CONNECT 360 Writers: Francesca Beard is an internationally acclaimed spoken word artist who makes interactive and transformational work for live audiences. She comes from London, by way of Malaysia. Hilda J. Twongyeirwe is from Lake Bunyonyi region in South Western Uganda. She juggles life in community service as a mother, a wife, a development worker, a writer, an editor, a Lion, a feminist and woman activist. She holds a National Medal of the government of Uganda and a Women for Women Award, both in recognition of her contribution to women empowerment and emancipation through literary arts. Priya K writes to make sense of the world around her, and hopes her work helps others in the same way. She currently makes a living as a freelance writer by day, and is furiously typing out her first full-length play by night.